Shoppers in Florida and throughout the country have likely seen merchandise held behind locked doors or behind customer service desks. This is in response to an uptick in retail theft in recent years. In some cases, thieves have literally walked out with carts full of merchandise without facing any repercussions. However, retailers are now taking steps to crackdown on theft.
Authorities have stepped up their efforts
The INFORM Act requires online retailers such as Facebook Marketplace to obtain more information about high volume sellers. This reduces the odds that a seller will try to resell stolen goods at a profit. Police officers are also spending more time in parking lots helping to take customers into custody after leaving stores with stolen goods. Officers are alerted to potential thieves by loss prevention staff inside of the store.
Retailers are urged to do more
Authorities say that retailers can do more to help cut down on theft such as not leaving valuables near front entrances. They are also encouraged to be more proactive about stopping theft such as not allowing customers to simply take what they want. Claiming that a retailer allowed you to walk out with an item may be a criminal defense strategy to employ against a larceny charge. Companies say that they sometimes allow customers to just take what they want to avoid potential violence against employees or other shoppers.
If you are charged with theft, you may face jail time, a fine or other penalties such as probation or community service. However, there is no guarantee that you’ll be convicted and face any of those consequences. It may be possible to have the charge reduced or dismissed by casting doubt on the evidence used to justify the charge against you.