Another petty theft dispatch call on your beat; at least the retailer has surveillance equipment. This is the fourth this week. Sometimes the suspect is cooperative, sometimes not. Over a certain dollar amount it is grand theft–under that amount, petty theft. If the suspect went into the store with the intent to steal, it could be burglary. This means paper, and quite possibly a trip to the detention center.
The suspect detained is a 35 -year-old Caucasian female, attractive, well dressed and groomed, and has more money in her wallet than you see in a pay period. She is crying, and is extremely remorseful. You view the tape, and see her putting a package of ballpoint pens in her purse. She makes purchases totaling $46.33 for various other items, but does not pay for the pens. You run her; she has priors for petty theft. The store manager desires prosecution. You ask yourself, "why in the world didn't she just pay for the pens?" It would have certainly made both your and her day easier.
Shoplifting Statistics (from National Association for Shoplifting Prevention)
- There are an estimated 27 million shoplifters (or 1 in 11 people) in our nation today.
- More than $35 million per day or $13 billion a year are stolen from USA retailers.
- More than 10 million people have been caught shoplifting in the last five years.
- Shoplifters report that they are caught an average of only once every 49 thefts. They are turned over to law enforcement about half the time.
- 70% of non-professional shoplifters don't plan their thefts.
- First offender shoplifters admit to stealing at the following rates:
- 13% steal daily or several times/day
- 27% steal weekly or more often
- 57% steal monthly or more often
- 43% steal less than monthly
- Over 50% of adult shoplifters state that they started stealing as teenagers.
- Over half of adults and one-third of adolescents report difficulty stopping shoplifting crimes, even after getting caught.
Types of Shoplifters and Their Motives
There is no profile for a shoplifter; it could be anyone. There are basically two types of shoplifters: professional and non-professional. Only 5% of shoplifters are considered professional. The professional shoplifter steals for profit and/or to support a lifestyle. The other 95% are considered non-professional shoplifters and steal for a variety of reasons unrelated to greed or financial/materialist gain. This group includes the thrill-seekers, the anxious and frustrated, the depressed, the impoverished, the drug/gambling addicted, the absent-minded, and kleptomaniacs. Juveniles account for 25% of petty thefts, adults for the other 75%.
Terrence Shulman, JD has further broken down the types of shoplifters to seven distinct subgroups.
- 75% of shoplifting thefts are by individuals who are considered addictive-compulsive shoplifters. They will typically steal items that are not expensive, often to give them as gifts to others. They usually have the money to pay for the item(s). They may also indulge in other compulsive behaviors such as overeating, substance abuse or gambling. These individuals know right from wrong, and typically show guilt, remorse, and shame when they are caught. They rarely have had prior arrests other than petty thefts.
- Only about 5% of shoplifters are considered professionals, stealing for profit or to support a certain lifestyle. These are your burglary suspects. They enter the store with the intention to steal, and may bring in tools to assist them, and have planned out ways to conceal the items effectively. They take bigger ticket items as well. Panties or a box of paperclips are not on their agenda. They are the most likely shoplifter to resist arrest and attempt to flee. If detained, they will remain cool and lack remorse.
- An additional 5% are addicts who steal to support their habits, which include substance abuse and gambling. They also will take more expensive or multiple items. They are much less organized than the professional shoplifter. When detained they may be carrying drugs or paraphernalia. Their priors are usually more serious in nature.
- 5% of shoplifting crimes are truly related to economic need. The individual simply cannot pay for items of necessity including food, diapers, clothing or toiletries. If they are caught, they will often show remorse, but will justify their behaviors based on their economic situation. They frequently blame others for their current financial state.
- The thrill-seekers, those who steal solely for excitement, represent 5% of shoplifters. They are frequently juveniles, and often steal in groups.
- 1% of all shoplifters really just didn't get it. This group includes the elderly or others who may have memory or other cognitive impairments.
- 1% steal for apparently no reason at all. These individuals are usually considered kleptomaniacs.
Kleptomania
Kleptomania is a very rare mental illness, and is classified as an impulse control disorder. Other impulse control disorders include pathological gambling, pyromania and trichotillomania (chronic hair-pulling). It is estimated that over one million people in the United States have kleptomania; about 0.06% of the population. Studies of shoplifters suggest that fewer than 5% would fulfill the criteria for a diagnosis of kleptomania. Kleptomania usually begins in adolescence and continues for about 20 years. The disorder is believed to be more common in females than males.
Kleptomania is defined by a recurrent failure to resist the impulse to steal items that are not needed for personal use or for monetary value. The individual senses tension immediately before the theft. During the theft they experience pleasure, gratification or relief. The theft does not represent an expression of anger or vengeance. The actions are not related to a psychotic disorder.
Kleptomaniacs realize that their actions are illegal and harmful, yet the urge to steal is too powerful to resist. Their thefts are not premeditated, they are impulsive. They usually steal items that they could otherwise afford. Individuals with kleptomania often have favorite types of items to steal: small toys, packets of sugar, underwear, batteries, remote controls, sunglasses, shampoo, etc. They may even hoard these items. There may be a pattern to their thefts, but they frequently can't recognize it. After the theft they will feel guilty, remorseful, and may even loathe themselves. Yet, the urge returns, and the cycle repeats itself, even after the individual has been arrested multiple times. Kleptomaniacs frequently have additional psychiatric problems, including mood, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, personality, eating, and substance abuse disorders.
Unfortunately, kleptomaniacs usually do not seek treatment related to their shame and a fear of legal consequences. The prognosis for kleptomania is fair. Treatment usually includes cognitive and behavioral therapy, as well as psychotropic medications. Medicines that have demonstrated success include SSRI antidepressants (Prozac), mood stabilizers (Lithium), and opiate antagonists (Naltrexone–used to treat alcohol and drug addictions). Many kleptomaniacs develop self-control strategies in an effort to refrain from stealing–avoiding shopping malls, shopping only when with someone else, or sometimes they may stop going shopping at all.
Kleptomania as a Legal Defense
In most jurisdictions, a person may defend criminal charges against him/herself on the grounds of insanity. The insanity defense comes in two forms: cognitive and volitional. Cognitive insanity relates to an individual who cannot distinguish from right from wrong. Volitional insanity relates to an individual who is unable to resist impulses, due to mental impairment, making him/her unable to act in conformance with the law. Lorena Bobbitt was found not guilty based on an irresistible impulse defense, a decision that still has most men cringing. The U.S. Department of Justice excludes kleptomania (along with pyromania and other impulse control disorders) as a possible defense. In other jurisdictions kleptomania is generally not considered a viable legal defense, although it has certainly been tried. It is difficult to claim insanity if you know you are committing a crime, know right from wrong, and are remorseful.
Conclusion
By the time you have finished reading this article, there may be another pending shoplifting call on your beat. When you interview this suspect, it might be interesting to question him/her about their history of theft and motives. Shoplifting can become a habit, even an addiction. The excitement generated by the act can actually make a shoplifter feel high. Ironically, most habitual shoplifters believe they should be punished if they have been caught. Chances are pretty good they won't get any help through the criminal justice system. You may want to refer them to some counseling or to self-help web links. It would make both of your lives easier.
The Shoplifters Anonymous toll-free number is (800) 848-9595.