New York- As a Result of Bad Bail Reform, Shoplifting Skyrockets! It is Open Season On Retail Businesses

 


New York- Local police are frustrated. Business owners are angry and concerned.

Shoplifting, they say, has become a much bigger problem.

Some thieves are taking it to a whole new level, and it's shocking even to veteran members of law enforcement.

"It is literally open season on the retail business," says Gates Police Chief James VanBrederode.

It's a new breed of shoplifters -- blatant, brazen, and more willing to get caught.

Just afternoon on October 5th at the Greece Lowe's, police say Teri Easton walked out with $486 in merchandise. She was arrested for shoplifting, and released on an appearance ticket. Less than five hours later, police say she was back at it -- stealing more than $500 from the Gates Home Depot.

Easton was charged with shoplifting nine times before. Twice, police say, she never even showed up for court.

"What my officers are seeing is there is no fear- the brazenness of this stuff is just amazing," says VanBrederode. "They know you’re not going to put me in jail- there’s not a lot the police can do anymore."

One can essentially walk out of a store and not pay, and then walk out of jail hours later. It's because a state law, passed last year, removes bail for non-violent crimes.

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