Shoplifters Shamed And Extorted By Some Stores

Up until now, we thought the worst public punishment for shoplifting we'd heard of was the fictional stoning Larry David received in the 2nd season finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm, but that seems almost quaint compared to the ruthless tactics currently being employed by some local Chinese emporiums. Some shopkeepers have been taking the law into their own hands by demanding money from shoplifters they have caught.

The Times reports on the system, which is an import from China according to "experts in retail loss prevention," derived from a traditional slogan that some storekeepers post: "Steal one, fine 10." At the A & N Food Market on Main Street in Flushing, Queens, which has a predominantly Chinese clientele, owner Tem Shieh said he usually fines customers $400 when they are caught, and holds their identification hostage until they procure the money.

What's at debate is whether this is legal or not in the United States: "New York State law allows 'shopkeepers’ privileges' that fall somewhere between the police and a citizen’s arrest. The law also details 'civil recovery statutes,' by which retailers may use the threat of a civil lawsuit to legally recover substantial settlements for even minor thievery. But threatening to report that someone has committed a crime can be considered a form of extortion."

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By Ben Yakas in News on June 22, 2010 8:15 AM

Comments [rss]

TKaisen

I'm pretty sure the shopkeeper has no right to ask for your ID. So, just leave the store?

inoyourider

I think its great.

These shoplifting scum can always refuse and deal with the police.

henryhamilton

This is actually a gray area. It's illegal, but could be construed as an out of court settlement. The shoplifter could always insist on calling the police.

jimmycracks

you see

the extortion cant happen if the shoplifiting didnt occur

of course if you care so much about the extortion

you must do alot of shoplifting

rammyh

Some of these comments are weird - am I supposed to feel bad for the shoplifter who's being took for $400? Yeah this is wildly illegal and the shopkeeper's looking at a legal hassle - but screw the shoplifter! Do we want to waste civic resources and a cop's time in jailing a shoplifter and the paperwork and court time, etc? Emptying the thief's pockets sounds like efficient justice.

Jen S

Also, $400 to keep the police uninvolved sounds good to me!

ozik

I've seen this sort of thing go on since I was a lad, and not with Chinese shopkeepers but all over the damn place.

Petey

That is NOT legal, and the shop owner is committing a felony (grand larceny by extortion) , over a misdemeanor (petit larceny). Good job.

r1b2

This is not legal. Yes, shoplifting is not cool, but extortion isn't, either, so piss off.

jchrist

$400!!! Do you realize how much shoplifting I would have to do to make up that $. C'mon Chinese shopkeepers. Times are tough.

schadenfreudian mensch

Maybe you can sue them for extortion.

Mordicai

I'd be interested in public shaming as an actual punishment; then again, its not like hampering criminals job prospects actually reduces crime...rather the opposite. As counter-intuitive as a lot of "modern" law practices may seem, we do have to consider whether revenge or crime prevention is the end goal.

bleeckerite

Leave it to Chinese shopkeepers to do something like that. Still, if you're bitching about their methods of deterring stealing, don't try pulling off that shit in the first place.

Gaelic47

I used to work security at a Macys. BTW, they're almost always hiring security guards, so if you need a job.....

Anyway, they would apprehend people for shop lifting and call the cops. There's all kinds of laws about recovery and civil remedies. Suffice it to say "I think I saw you steal something, gimme your drivers license and $400," is not legal in the State of New York.

And if a store owner held me hostage like these guys are, I'd go fuckin buck wild.

Clarice City

To do this to petty theives is stupid. But, how useful would it be on the highways and streets if we all knew which drivers were repeat DUI's, accidents, etc.?

"I drive drunk" "I have a suspended licence" "Trust me I'm a cop"

yetanotherdamneduselessaccount

In a way, this already exists. Some states have license plates that clearly indicate driver has DUI/DWI convictions. Ohio is one example, having red license plates for these cases.