In the last few months, I've seen a huge uptick in retail frauds aka shoplifting in Washtenaw County. Most of these crimes are happening at big box locations like Meijer, Target and department stores in Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township. This is not a surprise, because these stores invest in advanced theft detection technology, and put boots on the ground in terms of loss prevention staff. Most retail fraud defendants don't realize they are being monitored by security, but end up being stopped at the exit, or in the parking lot.
Once stopped, they are brought into a security room, questioned and searched. Unfortunately many clients don't realize that they don't need to speak to the store security, and end up confessing to a crime. Clients believe that if they give up the goods, and admit to the crime, that the police won't be called. It turns out that this might be the exact opposite; the loss prevention staff may not have the strongest case against you, but only push for an arrest and charges, because you sealed the deal with your confession.
Once stopped, they are brought into a security room, questioned and searched. Unfortunately many clients don't realize that they don't need to speak to the store security, and end up confessing to a crime. Clients believe that if they give up the goods, and admit to the crime, that the police won't be called. It turns out that this might be the exact opposite; the loss prevention staff may not have the strongest case against you, but only push for an arrest and charges, because you sealed the deal with your confession.