Ex-loss prevention specialist reveals the one universal gesture that all shoplifters make before they try to swipe goods. You might do this even if you don’t plan to steal
One former loss prevention officer says shoplifters always do this one thing that tips off workers to their intentions.
In a TikTok, Midwest Patriot (@midwestpatriot2) says he used to work in loss prevention for many years for different companies. He says he can now reveal industry secrets now that he no longer does the job. He says anytime he’d bust a shoplifter, they’d accuse him of profiling, but he assures them that’s not the case. It is about looks, but not in the way you think.
He says every shoplifter is different. However, they all do this one thing.
The ‘look’
“They walk up to an item that’s on the shelf and before they grab it, they go like this,” he says, turning his head left and right. “They’re looking around for cameras. So we go, ‘Oh, oh, they did the look,’ and then we’re gonna watch you.”
He says loss prevention workers also do shrink tracking. Shrink refers to losses a store experiences due to theft. He gave an example of a store having 100 PlayStation 4 controllers, selling 50, and having 1 left in stock. He says the 49 unaccounted-for controllers were likely stolen, so loss prevention would set up a camera by the item.
“And then we’d watch somebody walk up to the PlayStation 4 controllers, go into the next aisle, and shove it in their backpack,” he says. “That’s why you got caught—because you stole a high-shrink item, and you did the look.”
He adds that he would also do video reviews. For example, he would come in on a Monday and choose a product to monitor, like the PS4 controllers. He would go through footage from the weekend and look at who was in the area. If he saw someone pick up the item, he would check to see if they paid for it by checking to see how many of the items were sold that weekend. If the answer was none, he would continue reviewing the footage to see what happened to it.
“I would see that person stealing it the weekend before, and then two days later, three days later, whatever it is, I’d see that person walk into the store and walk up to the PlayStation 4 controllers and I’d be like, ‘I’m gonna watch that person,’” he says.
He concludes by saying loss prevention doesn’t catch people based on what they look like. It’s a combination of “very good technology, very good cameras, very good video reviewing,” and the fact that all shoplifters do the look.
“You shouldn’t steal stuff ‘cause you’re gonna get caught eventually,” he says.
‘I’m gonna start doing that look from now on for no reason’
In the comments section, some retail and loss prevention workers share commonalities they noticed between shoplifters.
User Freefall Acrylics wrote, “Working loss prevention for over 20 years the one stand out Behavior I’ve noticed is people acting overly nonchalant. once you’ve seen this Behavior it’s unmistakable.”
“I worked retail for many years. every shop lifter was on their cell phone talking loud. everytime,” user Mikki said.
User LeRoy added, “Most stolen item in the grocery store I worked at in the past was ‘vanilla extract’ has alcohol in it.”
Some said loss prevention workers absolutely do profile.
“Loss prevention routinely lies so take everything he said with a grain of salt,” one viewer said. “You are absolutely being profiled racially, by age, dress, etc.”
Another wrote, “You went out of your way to repeatedly say that you don’t profile; but profiling is a proven technique.”
Others said they toy with loss prevention workers.
User VonMots wrote, “As a kid, I loved [expletive] with you guys by pretending I’m stuffing items down my pants and walking out the store with you guys chasing after me, arguing with me and calling the cops, then they search me and find nothing and you look like an idiot.”
“Once I realize they think I’m suspicious, I just waste their time and get even more suspicious on purpose because two can play that game,” another viewer said. “Meanwhile I pay for everything and you’re watching the wrong one.”
@midwestpatriot2 ♬ original sound – ??Midwest Patriot??
Do loss prevention workers profile?
In a Crimedoctor.com article addressing this topic, security expert Chris McGoey says the answer is undoubtedly yes.
He writes, “The concept of shoplifter profiling is a proven loss prevention tool and is currently being practiced in most major retail stores by trained loss prevention or security staff. Does that seem shocking? It shouldn’t, as long as it doesn’t include the discriminatory practice of focusing on the race of the customer alone.”
Despite denouncing racial profiling, McGoey says he has seen it firsthand.
He adds, “The only way to eliminate racial profiling is to prohibit it from the top. Retail stores need to have clearly defined and articulated policies against security staffers practicing racial profiling and must have a zero-tolerance for abuse.”
The Mary Sue contacted Midwest Patriot via TikTok comment and direct message.
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