In the bubble I grew up in, people didn't steal. Yes, a child might slip a jelly bean or two from a "self serve" display while shopping in the grocery store with their mom, but grown people don't steal. Ha, did my job pop that bubble or what?
I have encountered many situations in which a person will place any item (seriously, it could be a $6 bag of socks) down their pants or up their shirt. I once stared, with my jaw dropped, at a lady who, while looking me straight in the eyes, put a bottle of Advil down her shirt. And she had the nerve to ask me what I was staring at! As my confrontational skills grew, I became more bold in asking people to put their stolen items back on the shelf. I will admit, several people have even been arrested because of my swift call to the Benton, AR police who have nothing else to do than investigate a crime involving a 19 year-old and a stolen $.69 candy bar.
However, after my robbery scare yesterday I decided to handle some situations more cautiously than I had before. A man entered the store last night and asked where he could find Lysol. Conveniently matching the description of the robber we were waiting for, my cashier, Alex, and I decided to hang by the front door to see if anyone was waiting outside. Sure enough a car was backed into a parking spot with the engine running (this is classic my buddy is about to steal something and I am the getaway car). As the man began walking toward the front door it was evident that he had tucked several "somethings" under his shirt. We asked if he got his Lysol, he said yes, and was out the door.
During a time of reflection with Alex, I decided this would be my new way of handling shoplifting situations. Next time, I will offer the shoplifter a bag.
I have encountered many situations in which a person will place any item (seriously, it could be a $6 bag of socks) down their pants or up their shirt. I once stared, with my jaw dropped, at a lady who, while looking me straight in the eyes, put a bottle of Advil down her shirt. And she had the nerve to ask me what I was staring at! As my confrontational skills grew, I became more bold in asking people to put their stolen items back on the shelf. I will admit, several people have even been arrested because of my swift call to the Benton, AR police who have nothing else to do than investigate a crime involving a 19 year-old and a stolen $.69 candy bar.
However, after my robbery scare yesterday I decided to handle some situations more cautiously than I had before. A man entered the store last night and asked where he could find Lysol. Conveniently matching the description of the robber we were waiting for, my cashier, Alex, and I decided to hang by the front door to see if anyone was waiting outside. Sure enough a car was backed into a parking spot with the engine running (this is classic my buddy is about to steal something and I am the getaway car). As the man began walking toward the front door it was evident that he had tucked several "somethings" under his shirt. We asked if he got his Lysol, he said yes, and was out the door.
During a time of reflection with Alex, I decided this would be my new way of handling shoplifting situations. Next time, I will offer the shoplifter a bag.
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