Muz, grand theft is determined by the value of the items you stole. I'm pretty sure if the value is over $5000, then it's considered grand theft.

 

Good thing he is not in Saudi Arabia, hehe.

 

Shouldn't it be 'Five Grand Theft' instead?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Roceye
[B]Good thing he is not in Saudi Arabia,

 

Given everything you've said about how your friend is a habitual thief, I'm actually kind of glad that he was caught and will have to face the music. Some of us work pretty hard to get the things we have honestly, and if the evidence is clear, there should be no leniency.

We all bitch about high prices and try to find group buys to offset higher prices, but consider that prices would be more reasonable at the retail level if retailers weren't having to make up for losses like this one!

 

Sondra,

Most retailers have a built in thieft allowance built into their operations. They except loss because of damage, theft, return etc. Prices are not determined by the amount that is stolen. Most can be written off or amortized into overall sales. A retailer doesn't raise prices because somebody shoplifts. They may use this as an excuse but it's nothing more than a lie to the consumer. Pricing economics is another matter. The biggest problem is not the casual shoplifter, it's the employees that shoplifs. Individuals, like this one do it for the thrill primarily. Employees, hurt retail businesses more than anyone else.

Just some advice for your friend, redleader. He needs to get a decent lawyer! Not a public defender. What he's done isway beyond shoplifting. This is a very serious charge and one he could spend some time in prison over. Causual shoplifting is bad enough, this is way beyond shoplifting.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JRM
[B]

Just some advice for your friend, redleader.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JRM
[B]Sondra,

 

A few years ago in a small store very near where Sondra now lives we lost approx $28,500 to theft in a 6 month period. The annual profit after all expenses was budgeted to be less than $15,000. That took into account the 1% of sales that we budgeted to loose to theft. Obviously we lost a good bit of money that year. The net outcome that hurt the most was not being able to give good raises or bonuses to several hard working employees. That sucked! It isn't just a crime against the owners of the store, it's a crime against the employees as well. It goes almost without saying that it causes higher prices too.

As far as your friend goes I am sorry he got caught but I'm much, MUCH more sorry that he felt it was okay to do the crime. Personally I would tell him not to worry. None of the people who stole from us and were caught got more than 6 months probation unless they were already on probation when they were caught. Even then they spent very little time in jail. If he's willing to learn from it and not do something like this again I wouldn't mind seeing him get off with a slap on the wrist. BTW, while I'm sorry he got caught I'm not sorry he didn't get away with the merchandise.

 

Redleader:

I think your friend is lucky to have you as his friend but I have no sympathy, and I think he deserves everything he gets.... and then some