When the economy takes a downturn, incident rates for shoplifting typically go in the opposite direction. For others, shoplifting has no tie to financial need at all. It, quite simply, is a thrill-seeking activity.

        Regardless of the reason, shoplifting is stealing and is a crime. Kentucky law classifies shoplifting as a theft. If a shoplifter steals or attempts to steal merchandise totaling less than $300, he or she is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by 90 days to one year in jail and/or up to a $500 fine. For thefts or attempted thefts of $300 or more, the shoplifter is guilty of a Class D felony, punishable by one to five years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.

        If someone attempts to steal a firearm or anhydrous ammonia, the theft is considered a Class D felony regardless of the value of the items. If the authorities can prove the anhydrous ammonia was intended for use in manufacturing methamphetamine, the theft is considered a Class B felony, punishable by 10 to 20 years imprisonment and/or up to a $20,000 fine.

        For those thrill-seekers who steal for fun, they need to realize that attempting to shoplift a candy bar could land them in jail for 90 days or more and carry a fine of up to $500. It just isn’t worth the risk, and I guarantee the inside of a jail cell is not thrilling.

        Many people think they can get away with shoplifting; however, it’s easier to spot a shoplifter than you might think.   

        With today’s modern security systems and laws to support merchants, shoplifters should beware. Under Kentucky law, merchants can detain a suspect in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable period of time for the following purposes:

• To request identification;
• To verify identification;
• To make a reasonable inquiry as to whether the person has unpurchased merchandise in his or her possession;
• To recover or attempt to recover goods taken from the merchant’s business; and
• To inform any peace officer of the person’s detention and to surrender that person over to the peace officer.

Some would ask why stealing inexpensive items causes such a stir. The answer is simple.  First and foremost, stealing is wrong, period.  Secondly, a life of crime grows in incremental steps. It begins with the shoplifting of inexpensive items, grows to the theft of larger items, and continues to increase in intensity—often leading to violence. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. In the short term, law-abiding citizens pay for these crimes in the form of increased prices. In the long term, they face a society rife with crime and violence.