OMEN
02-28-2007, 09:04 PM
WHEAT RIDGE -- A Wheat Ridge police officer was shocked to learn recently that America's largest retailer will no longer prosecute shoplifters under the age of 18 or older than 65, according to a report he filed.
Officer Greg Harrison responded to a call Feb. 13 from Douglas Groves, a Wal-Mart security officer at the Wal-Mart at 3600 Youngfield St. Groves detained two juveniles, one of whom he suspected of shoplifting. The other was the suspect's older brother, who had interfered with Groves' questioning, according to Harrison's report.
When asked if he wanted to pursue shoplifting charges, Groves said it was Wal-Mart's policy not to prosecute any shoplifter under the age of 18 or over 65 and the store no longer has roving undercover security for loss prevention, according to the report.
Harrison's added in his report, "I incredulously asked [Groves] what would happen if a person under 18 stole a high-dollar item like a flat-screen television, and [Groves] said that the price of the item is irrelevant."
Groves declined comment, referring all questions to Sharon Weber, a public information officer at Wal-Mart.
According to Harrison, Groves told him, "'...that is how Wal-Mart does business these days.''"
Weber was vague in her answers but denied it is Wal-Mart's explicit policy not to prosecute juveniles or people older than 65, regardless of what they've stolen.
She says they "try not to" prosecute juveniles and adults older than 65, but says the age under which Wal-Mart would not prosecute juveniles is "much lower than 18."
Weber said the company changed its shoplifting policy early last year. Weber declined to discuss several details of Wal-Mart's loss prevention policy, but said she wants everyone to know Wal-Mart hasn't just given in to shoplifters.
"You're more likely to caught stealing at Wal-Mart than at any other store," said Weber, adding that the retail chain believes good customer service is the best prevention against theft. "We like to call it 'aggressive hospitality.'"
Weber added the retailer takes each case into individual consideration and will prosecute repeat offenders or incidents in which violence is involved. Weber said Wal-Mart will contact police if employees cannot contact guardians of suspected juvenile shoplifters.
A New York Times article from July of last year reported Wal-Mart revised its loss-prevention policy to follow industry trend, and that the retail giant would only prosecute shoplifters between the ages of 18 and 64 suspected of stealing items worth more than $25. Weber wouldn't confirm that dollar amount on Feb. 26.
YourHub
Officer Greg Harrison responded to a call Feb. 13 from Douglas Groves, a Wal-Mart security officer at the Wal-Mart at 3600 Youngfield St. Groves detained two juveniles, one of whom he suspected of shoplifting. The other was the suspect's older brother, who had interfered with Groves' questioning, according to Harrison's report.
When asked if he wanted to pursue shoplifting charges, Groves said it was Wal-Mart's policy not to prosecute any shoplifter under the age of 18 or over 65 and the store no longer has roving undercover security for loss prevention, according to the report.
Harrison's added in his report, "I incredulously asked [Groves] what would happen if a person under 18 stole a high-dollar item like a flat-screen television, and [Groves] said that the price of the item is irrelevant."
Groves declined comment, referring all questions to Sharon Weber, a public information officer at Wal-Mart.
According to Harrison, Groves told him, "'...that is how Wal-Mart does business these days.''"
Weber was vague in her answers but denied it is Wal-Mart's explicit policy not to prosecute juveniles or people older than 65, regardless of what they've stolen.
She says they "try not to" prosecute juveniles and adults older than 65, but says the age under which Wal-Mart would not prosecute juveniles is "much lower than 18."
Weber said the company changed its shoplifting policy early last year. Weber declined to discuss several details of Wal-Mart's loss prevention policy, but said she wants everyone to know Wal-Mart hasn't just given in to shoplifters.
"You're more likely to caught stealing at Wal-Mart than at any other store," said Weber, adding that the retail chain believes good customer service is the best prevention against theft. "We like to call it 'aggressive hospitality.'"
Weber added the retailer takes each case into individual consideration and will prosecute repeat offenders or incidents in which violence is involved. Weber said Wal-Mart will contact police if employees cannot contact guardians of suspected juvenile shoplifters.
A New York Times article from July of last year reported Wal-Mart revised its loss-prevention policy to follow industry trend, and that the retail giant would only prosecute shoplifters between the ages of 18 and 64 suspected of stealing items worth more than $25. Weber wouldn't confirm that dollar amount on Feb. 26.
YourHub