Teenager Arrested After Allegedly Shoplifting, Trying to Push Police Officer Off Escalator
Suspect Charged With Retail Theft, Attempted Assault
Incident Occurred at Mall in Central Florida
A teenager was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly shoplifted from a store at a mall in central Florida and then tried to push a police officer off an escalator.
The suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was seen by store security taking items from a shelf and concealing them in his backpack. When confronted by security, the suspect fled the store and ran towards an escalator.
A police officer who was nearby witnessed the incident and gave chase. The officer caught up to the suspect on the escalator and ordered him to stop. The suspect allegedly resisted arrest and tried to push the officer off the escalator.
The officer was able to gain control of the suspect and place him in handcuffs. The suspect was taken to a juvenile detention center and charged with retail theft and attempted assault on a law enforcement officer.
Shoplifting on the Rise
Shoplifting is a growing problem in the United States. According to the National Retail Federation, retailers lost an estimated $46.8 billion to shoplifting in 2020.
There are a number of factors that have contributed to the rise in shoplifting, including the economic downturn, the opioid crisis, and the growth of organized retail crime.
Consequences of Shoplifting
Shoplifting is a crime that can have serious consequences. Depending on the value of the items stolen, shoplifting can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
If convicted of shoplifting, a person may face jail time, fines, and probation. A shoplifting conviction can also damage a person's reputation and make it difficult to get a job or rent an apartment.
Preventing Shoplifting
There are a number of things that retailers can do to prevent shoplifting, including:
- Hiring security guards
- Installing surveillance cameras
- Using electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags
- Training employees to spot potential shoplifters
Customers can also help to prevent shoplifting by being aware of their surroundings and reporting any suspicious activity to store security or the police.
