Caught red-handed

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alexandra Sandoval
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  "I have the money" or "I was just getting my wallet from my car" are just a few of the common excuses Fred Acosta, Barksdale Army Air Force Exchange Service loss prevention manager receives when he catches a shoplifter red-handed. 

Since February, 21 shoplifters have been caught shoplifting at the base exchange and the shoppette. 

"Shoplifting is considered taking merchandise out of the store without purchasing it," said Mr. Acosta. "Switching price tags on items also is considered shoplifting and will result in the same consequences as not buying the product." 

During 2005, a total of 137 thieves were charged with shoplifting, six more than in 2006. In 2007, 109 shoplifters were apprehended, and last year only 86. Records show during the summer months, the shoplifters' numbers rise. 

There are a total of 48 surveillance cameras located throughout the BX and 16 cameras in the shoppette. The cameras are all computerized, on 24-hours and have the ability to rotate 360-degrees, covering every area of the store. They can be zoomed in to read fine print on identification cards or even the cash registers. 

Once a customer crosses the blue line at the BX exit, a member of the loss prevention team will stop the individual and ask them to step inside their office, where the officer manager will call the law enforcement desk. Base police will conduct the proper paperwork and tag the evidence. The suspect will be asked questions involving the accusations of shoplifting and then will be searched. If the police find the stolen merchandise on the person, the customer will be apprehended. 

Anyone who is caught shoplifting will be banned from shopping at AAFES for one year. First sergeants and commanders will be notified if the accused is a servicemember. Sponsors will be called for minors. Additionally, civilians will be taken to the magistrate court and fined. 

Civilian and dependent privileges are also taken away for a year. 

"The hardest part of dealing with a shoplifter is watching the sponsor's embarrassed face when told their dependent stole merchandise from the BX or shoppette," said Staff Sgt. Joe Wilbert, 2d Security Forces Squadron control center operator. 

According to Mr. Acosta, an incident occurred where a customer changed a price on a shirt at the BX and paid for the price it was changed for. As soon as the customer crossed over the blue line at the store's threshold, he was confronted by loss prevention. The individual ran and was later found by the dormitory stairs. 

Security forces also post a foot patrol to walk around enforcing the safety and security of the customers and AAFES merchandise. 

"It is important to enforce shoplifting penalties because we can't let customers steal from the store and other customers," said Sergeant Wilbert. "Shoplifting costs AAFES a lot of money and it will directly affect the customers if the prices are raised or if AAFES stops carrying high theft items." 

The loss prevention team prevents as many shoplifting incidents as possible by talking to the community through the base youth center, first sergeant meetings, commander calls, right start and local schools. 

"It is better to prevent shoplifting than letting it happen," said Mr. Acosta. "That is why we talk to the community, especially children. The main excuse from them is the peer pressure of other kids. We don't want them to grow up stealing." 

Protecting AAFES customers and merchandise is a goal of the loss prevention team.