Faking pregnancy as a shoplifting technique

Detectives in Sarpy County, Omaha are warning local stores of a new shoplifting technique being used by a group of women. The women enter a store, fill up a cart with items, and then walk out. If stopped, they claim that they're giving birth. KETV reports:

Detectives said that on Dec. 13, three women walked into the Bellevue Wal-Mart, filled a cart with items, then started to leave. Surveillance video shows a store officer stopped them at the door and asked for a receipt. That's when one of the women said she was going into labor, according to Detective Fran Gallo of the Bellevue Police Department. "All three were heavyset. The loss-prevention officer couldn't tell if this person was pregnant or not. She offered to call for a squad for her, but they said no," Gallo said. The women swore at the officer, then left the store with more than $1,000 in items, Gallo said.

Apparently they tried the same thing at a second Wal-Mart, but didn't get away with it there.

It reminds me of that Jane's Addiction video for "Been Caught Stealing". Though in the video a guy, pretending to be a woman, hides items in a fake belly. The Omaha women brazenly walked out the door with the stolen goods. (Thanks, Joe)

Birth/Babies Law/Police/Crime

Posted on Mon Feb 18, 2008



Comments

If a pregnant woman tried to leave a shop I was working in because she was giving birth, I'd still not let her leave with the items.

You'd have to be pretty stupid to let the woman leave with the items. If she's going into labour, then the last thing she'll want is a shopping trolley full of items.
Posted by Renquist  on  Mon Feb 18, 2008  at  10:56 AM
The loss prevention specialist should have had the woman wait, if she was really in labor it would have been an instructive experience for any kids in the area. The kids could have watched the woman give birth. Sex education for free.
Posted by Christopher Cole  on  Mon Feb 18, 2008  at  11:37 AM
I should imagine, if you're giving birth, you'd drop everything and call for help, not calmly stroll out with a trolley full of goods.
Posted by Nona  on  Tue Feb 19, 2008  at  05:19 AM
A good swift kick in the belly should answer all questions.

Or make them lift up their shirts.
Posted by KDP  on  Tue Feb 19, 2008  at  08:16 AM
"new shoplifting technique"

its been used for years upon years in the UK

oldest one in the book
Posted by Tumdaan  on  Tue Feb 19, 2008  at  01:53 PM
I was wondering if there are any chat rooms/web sites that cater solely to the shoplifter? I am a loss prevention associate in new hampshire and want to do some follow up if any at all on these type of web sites

thanks
nick
Posted by Nick  on  Sat Jun 28, 2008  at  08:47 PM
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