Gamestop is a popular store with gamers everywhere, but have you ever wondered how they deal with shoplifters?
Gamestop has no public policy for dealing with shoplifters, but it does make efforts to prevent shoplifting by leaving the game cases empty and only putting the disks when a game is purchased.
If you steal something from a Gamestop, you might be reported to the police and could face fines and prison time.
What’s Gamestop’s Shoplifting Policy?
No public policy on dealing with shoplifters has been published by Gamestop, but it likely has one that tells staff how to deal with people stealing. It’s very likely that this policy tells staff not to intervene, and to simply let the person walk out, but to take note of their physical appearance.
There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, Gamestop doesn’t keep games inside the cases on display. The disk will only be put into the case when somebody takes the case to the counter to buy it. That means that people snatching games from the shelves won’t get anything but the case for their efforts.
A lot of people don’t realize this and try to steal the cases because they think the games are inside. Gamestop’s policy on this makes it much easier for them to prevent theft, although they do lose game cases.
This is not a particularly big issue on the whole, as generic cases can simply be bought to replace those lost.
Secondly, it’s important for businesses to protect both their staff and members of the public. Attempting to stop a shoplifter can easily lead to injuries if the shoplifter runs or struggles. This creates liability and could result in lawsuits.
Furthermore, stopping people and accusing them of shoplifting creates drama, which most stores want to avoid. It can deter other people from shopping there, which has a negative impact on the business overall.
No businesses want bad press, so it’s likely that Gamestop’s policy tells their staff not to interfere if somebody walks out with a game case.
They might request that the person stop and pay for the item, but they aren’t likely to do more.
Can You Take Game Cases From Gamestop?
It’s important to note that the above section doesn’t imply that you can just take as many cases as you like from a Gamestop and nothing will happen.
The cases still belong to the store and taking them is still counted as theft. If the store chooses to pursue you, they could charge you with theft.
Although many Gamestops will not bother to address an individual who walks out with one or two game cases, they certainly can do so. They may stop you while you’re in the store, or they may make a report to the police and get them to follow up with you later.
You might think that the penalty for taking a low-value game case would be almost negligible, but even the theft of low-value items can have some serious consequences.
It’s often classed as a misdemeanor but can still result in a fine and up to a year in prison if you’re found guilty.
It’s important to note that different states have different rulings about what is classed as a misdemeanor theft, so you should research your specific area.
You will probably find that the potential penalty makes the theft unattractive.
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What If You Steal More Valuable Items From A Gamestop?
Of course, Gamestop doesn’t only sell video games; it also retails things like game consoles. These make a tempting target for thieves, especially if the store is only manned by one employee, as many Gamestops currently are.
However, you should be aware that taking high-value items can quickly put you into a different category of theft, and really increases the risk. The amounts vary by state, but stealing items worth over $50 (or $100-$500 in some states) can massively alter the penalties that you are looking at.
Going over a certain amount will push the theft into the category of grand theft, making it a felony rather than a misdemeanor. This means that stores have longer to pursue it (as well as much more incentive to do so) and that you’ll face much bigger consequences if you are caught.
A misdemeanor theft has a maximum prison time of 12 months in most cases, but you can spend years in prison if you’re found guilty of grand theft.
Again, this varies from state to state, but it’s crucial to be aware of the value of the items you are thinking of taking and to check that you know the risks.
Does Gamestop Ever Prosecute Shoplifters?
Yes, Gamestop does pursue and prosecute those who steal from its stores, especially for high-value items or repeated thefts.
While you will sometimes find that staff turns a blind eye to the theft of game cases (this is not guaranteed, however), there’s a high chance that larger thefts will result in a police report.
The store does not have to approach or stop you while you are in the store, either. Because of the danger, the store may actively discourage them from doing this. Staff members may instead write down physical descriptions, or make sure that camera footage is saved so that the police can identify you later.
The police will then deal with the report as they would any other shoplifting report. You aren’t absolved of responsibility just because you have left the store without being challenged.
Gamestop will have a minimum of 6 months to make a report, and it will be longer if you have stolen high-value items.
Note that if you have been approached in the store but the staff member has let you go, Gamestop can still decide to prosecute you later. Nothing prevents them from doing so.
Does Gamestop Use Cameras?
Gamestop locations almost always have high-quality security cameras set up throughout the store, recording customers as they move around. This is laid out in the company’s privacy policy.
The staff at a location may check this footage if they suspect somebody in the store of stealing, as it can give them a better view of what’s happening.
It makes it much easier for them to catch shoplifters, especially if there’s only one member of staff around.
The camera footage can also be used as evidence in court, assuming that a court case arises. If you are visible on a camera and can be seen stealing, there’s a high chance that this will lead to a shoplifting conviction.
How frequently the cameras are checked will depend on the location. A staff member might be prompted to check the footage if they notice somebody acting suspiciously, or if missing stock is registered during a stock check.
Be aware that even if nobody sees you taking something at the time, camera footage might lead to you being caught later.
Conclusion
Gamestop’s shoplifting policy likely says that members of staff should not directly approach a thief, but that they should make a note of the incident.
The store can then put in a police report if they decide to do so. This can lead to various consequences, including large fines and possibly prison sentences.
Reference Source
https://www.polygon.com/23603187/gamestop-robbery-problem-corporate-policy