Greetings fellow eBayers! I wanted to share some insights in which the crime trend of distraction thefts take place in retail stores, under classification of loss prevention. If you or anyone you know work in a small retail store or shop, I hope this entry may be of assistance.

One of the most common types of distraction thefts take place in retail stores, thus security personnel dressed in civilian clothes, called loss prevention employee's are hired by the store in a effort to cut losses resulting from stolen goods.

First, why would this happen to your store? Does your store contain items that can be easily re-sold by a potential thief for money or drugs, if so the store and items therein is a target. A distraction theft is one of the easiest ways to steal something. Lets look at the mechanics. Consider that days or even weeks before the theft actually occurs, a person(s) that you probably never noticed or paid attention to has been in and around the store setting the plan. Taking notes. A small retail shop or store can have as little as two employee's inside at any given time. The second worker has to take a break sometime. What time is that? When do the employee's shifts change-over. Are there locks on the display cases? Security camera's above? Do I need to bring my hat to block my face, and prevent a mugshot. All this can be easily assessed, sometimes without even entering the store. Finally, the decision of what will be stolen is made, and exactly where that item is located in the store. 

One person can pull off the theft simply by entering when the store is at it's peak business hour. When the store is already crowded with people. He might bring a large bag in or be wearing baggy cloths, a jacket, vest, or sweater that he can use to hide the item, and walk out. Most store employee's know to be weary of unneccessary large bags. So this person may even walk straight towards you and place his big bag on the counter, just to send a false message that he has no ill intentions. He wants you to feel comfortable with him. But he still has on the jacket, vest, fanny pack, and baggy jeans with large pockets. What he'll do is ask about a particular item, in detail, as if he was genuinely interested. Then, ask you to double check sizes, types, colors, or stock, prompting you to leave the floor, and possibly go into a back room where you cannot see the full view of the store.

If two people are involved, a distractor and the thief, then it's easier. They will walk in one at a time, a few minutes or seconds apart. They will act like they don't know each other. The distractor will ask for assistance from the store worker, and go on and on with questions about an item, while holding it in front of you. Your attention is away from anyone else. Since the location of the item to be stolen is already established, the distractor will pick the opposite end or corner of the store, take you there, and keep you busy. Small walls that make up other sections of the shop, pillars, racks, and displays are all blind-spots.

A third person could even be involved and will likely be another distractor. This person will call the store from an outside line, wait until the employee picks up the phone, and will hang up. He may continue to drop-call the store in repeat attempts to take the employee away from the floor to the counter where the phone is.

Consider establishing a code with security if there is a security guard service for the location. Since the thief may be standing near you and will overhear what you are saying, when you need security, call them and say "your package is ready". Or "we found your wallet in the store". This should also let them know that the person is still in the store, and not to go charging in, but rather quietly walk in and help the employee watch the suspects.

There are six critical steps that need to be followed by loss prevention, or the employee in order to legally detain the person. A few include seeing the person take it, watching him walk with it, and then leave the store with it. This must be done before deciding to stop anyone. If these steps are not followed, for example he puts the item back on the shelf, or throws it down on the floor before he leaves, without you seeing it, then you run into the other side of this business.

The other side of this business are the people who go into stores and purposely act suspicious by looking around at the employee's, making strange body movements, walking around in circles, or making arm gestures pretending to have taken something. When they walk out the door, their hoping to get stopped and frisked by loss prevention. After that happens, and nothing is found in thier possession, they try to file a discrimination lawsuit.

Thanks again,

Bidrisen