Oh, how I wish we could post a sign like this at Target. Target has some bizarre policies when it comes to stealing. If we do not actually see the customer stealing the merchandise, we can not approach them at all. Yesterday I had just come into work when one of our security people pulls me aside and says "I need your help". He was tracking a known female thief in our store. She had merchandise in her hand one minute, and the next minute it was gone. Coincidence that she was carrying a big black purse with her???? NOT!!!!!! She was also talking on the Razor phone that we have her on camera as stealing the previous week (talk about adding insult to injury!!!). Anyhow, I make it very obvious that both myself and security are watching her. At one point, she opened the purse as if to put something in it, but caught site of me peering around the corner, so no dice. Eventually she proceeded to the checkouts and paid for one tube of crazy glue. Security decided they were going to follow her out to the parking lot, but in the meantime, she proceeds to the bathroom. I go into the bathroom making it very obvious the only reason I was in there was to hopefully get her to dump the merchandise she had in her purse. I finally leave the restroom. She comes out a few minutes later. Now I am seriously pissed off at her and am determined to recover our property. First I check the trash, one item in there. CRAP, we need at least $20.00 of items to make a report. I go into the stall she was in and first flush the toiled to make sure it isn't clogged. Yes, people will steal and flush the packing to avoid the alarms going off. Yes, that is gross. Toilet not clogged, CRAP again, where did she dump the rest of the stuff??? Ah, the sanitary napkin disposal. Sure enough, I open that and (insert drumroll), 7 more items were recovered!!! What was she stealing you wonder? 6 of the items were scrapbooking supplies and two of the items were from the electronics department. The next time she is in the store, we can apprehend her. I just hope I am on duty to enjoy the moment.
