Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

NC's largest city sees increase in shoplifting

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Police in North Carolina's largest city say shoplifting has risen more than 20 percent in 2009, and statistics indicate the trend is accelerating.

The Charlotte Observer reported Sunday that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said that shoplifting was up almost 40 percent in the third quarter of 2009 compared with the same quarter last year.

A spokesman for Matthews-based Family Dollar Stores said the chain is seeing more frequent shoplifting from different parts of its stores. Spokesman Joshua Braverman said instead of targeting items near the cash register, people are taking things from the food aisle.

But some say bad economic conditions aren't the only reason. Police Sgt. Steve Huber works off-duty security at several Food Lion stores, and says of all his arrests, not one person was stealing for their family.