A Durango liquor store owner developed an ingenious way of dealing with shoplifters. From Channel 9 News:
Gabe Fidanque was tired of losing $1,000 worth of merchandise a month, so he started telling shoplifters he caught in the act that they had two choices: Give him one of their shoes or he'd call police.
A handful gave up a shoe. But
Durango police have told Fidanque to stop the practice, or he could find
himself facing felony robbery charges.
Shoplifting, in contrast, is a misdemeanor.
It is unfortunate that the Durango police decided to take this position. Mr. Fidanque caught these people shoplifting. He could have just called the police, filed a statement, and taken time out of his day to attend court to confront the criminal. Instead, he shamed them; he took one of their shoes. Unless Findanque has a peg leg, having one shoe is worthless to him.
Here is another textbook example of the force of government interference. People should use the police force sparingly and judge whether or not a call to them is required. Police departments should not threaten to charge the victim of a crime with a more serious offense than the perpetrator.
Obviously, there are limitations on the philosophy. However, as long as the owner is not causing physical harm to the thief, and he gives the thief a free choice between calling law enforcement and the alternative method, it should be legal in most instances. In any event, expect the Durango police department to receive many more calls for minor offenses since they are chomping at the bit to arrest everyone attempting to shoplift in the city.
by Civil Sense
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