Final Story: Shop-lifting and Theft

At a glance
Why: Shop-lifters either don't have money to buy items, or shop-lifting is a habit for them.
Who: Customers entering stores on intent to shop-lift items.
What: Three thousand dollar theft, largest theft in Sweet Home
Where: Surrounding areas in Sweet Home, OR.


Shop-lifting and theft at small convenient market stores in Sweet Home, OR are taking careful steps to control shop-lifting since larger three thousand dollar theft occurred at Santiam Discount Variety store in Sweet Home, OR in 2007. The theft at Santiam Discount Variety store, located in the parking lot on Main Street in Sweet Home was broken into during the night when the store had been closed. The security camera's were able to identify the theft and lead to arrest of person in question. theft

Connie Moyer, the manager at the discount store stated On Saturday, November , 2009, "I have worked here for thirty two years. I have had trusted customers that I'd known for twenty years come in and then shop-lift from me. You just never know. All walks of life have been arrested." Some shop-lifters may not be caught at first. Store employees watch carefully from camera's and mirrors sat high towards ceilings of the store.

Alicia Moyer, an employee at Santiam Descount Variety store had seen a shop-lifter leave outside the store with stolen items. Outside the Store is when suspects can be approached. They are brought inside to have police called to search suspects. The store can be sued by suspects if approached outside from wrongful worded by management to suspects. Other employees, Erica Fulbright and Becca Fulbright (daughter) watch cameras closely. They have had to follow suspendous persons around store.

At three small convenient stores, including Circle K, Speedy Market, and Lake Side Market in Sweet Home on Saturday, November 22, 2009, store clerks stated shop-lifting has little effect in their stores. The working clerk at Circle K, Sam Wilson, stated, "I had never had to call police for shop-lifting or theft when I have worked." Wilson stated he has worked since last December, 2008, at Circle K. He has discovered missing items later during inventory. The last theft reported immediately to police was person as beer-runner fleeing from the store. The beer-runner was not caught resulting the beer was not recovered. Circle K is located between Speedy Market west of town and Lake Side Market east of town.

Speedy Market is located west of Sweet Home with Sweet Home High School on Long Street directly behind the store. When clerk, Lacey Peterson is working she immediately calls police to report kids shop-lifting. She states most items stolen are candy and alcohol. She states, "Certain customers I know who are short on money I will loan them a dollar or so. I loan them money instead of them stealing from the store. She has worked at Speedy Market for almost a year and loves her job.

Lake Side Market leaving east of Sweet Home has changed hands in the last three years. Jesse Grewal states has had only a few shop-lifters in this time. The check-out counter is right by the only door in the front as people come in or out of the store. He watches the front door closely. Jesse does not call the police, he will tell such persons not to come back into the store. Grewal had lived in California and helped his family business liquor store for eighteen years. He states "Theft was real bad in California."

Many convenient stores may have very dangerous incidences when being robbed at gun point, or such. Clerks and customers lives could be in serious dangers.