Why Do Shoplifters Steal?

Every week, The Jail Report fills its pages with mugshots of people accused of shoplifting. There is no shortage of criminals who believe they shouldn't have to pay for merchandise.

In the last 24 hours, Aiken County authorities have arrested 27-year-old Charda Jackson (top) of Aiken and 28-year-old Kisha Williams of Aiken for shoplifting.

So why do people steal?

In simple and concise terms... "TO GET SOMETHING FOR NOTHING," according to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP).

To most non-professional shoplifters, "getting something for nothing" is like giving themselves a "gift" or "reward," which gives them a "lift." Many people feel they need a lift just to get through the week or even the day.

According to NASP, several studies have found diagnosed depression to exist in approximately 1/3 of the shoplifters studied. Depression was the most frequently found physiological problem. This helps to explain why so many shoplifters steal from stores on their birthday and around holiday times.

Any way you look at it, shoplifters perceive shoplifting as a form of self nourishment or as a way to relieve fear or pain in their life. In truth, shoplifting is self-destructive not self-nourishing.

To read more about the causes and what can be done to fix the problem, click here.