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The New Face of Shoplifting
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A study from the University of Florida has determined that men shoplift more than women, a finding that disputes the common rule of thumb that, because there are more female shoppers than male shoppers, women shoplift more than men. "Many of them hit the film, pain relievers or batteries, steal them in large quantities and sell them, using shoplifting as a way to feed their drug habit," says criminologist Richard Hollinger. Overall, 8 percent of the shoppers who enter a store will steal something, with people who leave a store without paying for anything six times more likely to have stolen something than shoppers who go through the check-out line.
The typical shoplifter falls between the ages of 35 and 54, usually has gainful employment, and is categorized as a "primary household shopper" who occasionally shoplifts merchandise that extends beyond their household budget. The study finds that in terms of race, whites, blacks, and Hispanics are equally likely to shoplift, though blacks are monitored more extensively and harassed in some cases. By racial and gender subcategory, the study finds that Hispanic females are the most likely to shoplift, stealing at a rate more than seven times higher than white females.
Many shoplifters tend to steal household items like makeup and medicine, and they will steal candy off the shelf to keep their children from crying or being fussy. Family shoplifters use children as "distraction teams" to distract the sales clerk while the parents shoplift the study says.
The typical shoplifter falls between the ages of 35 and 54, usually has gainful employment, and is categorized as a "primary household shopper" who occasionally shoplifts merchandise that extends beyond their household budget. The study finds that in terms of race, whites, blacks, and Hispanics are equally likely to shoplift, though blacks are monitored more extensively and harassed in some cases. By racial and gender subcategory, the study finds that Hispanic females are the most likely to shoplift, stealing at a rate more than seven times higher than white females.
Many shoplifters tend to steal household items like makeup and medicine, and they will steal candy off the shelf to keep their children from crying or being fussy. Family shoplifters use children as "distraction teams" to distract the sales clerk while the parents shoplift the study says.