Howzzat! Well-heeled customers also resort to shoplifting at Mall

Howzzat! Well-heeled customers also resort to shoplifting at Mall

By PRABEER SIKDAR

DEHRADUN, 1 Apr 2009:

It may appear unbelievable, but it is no April Fool prank: At Vishal Mega Mart-- Doon’s largest shopping mall -- about a dozen shoplifters are caught almost everyday by the Security Guards. But these white collar thieves differ from their normal counterparts in that the Mall owners do not lodge any police complaint.

“After giving them a mild warning, we let them off. We don’t lodge a police complaint, either, as it may damage the reputation of the customers as well as the Mall,” said Sanjay Kumar Nagar, who manages the External Security of the Mall with his company’s dozen plus guards.

Among the recent high profile shoplifters were a Jewellery Shop Manager, a Bank Manager and also a Police Constable. “In most shoplifting cases, women outnumber men by a huge margin,” said a Vishal employee, who looks after the internal security of the Mall.

Recalling an amusing instance involving the Manager of a reputed Jewellery House in Doon, another Vishal employee said, “This well-dressed man had tied three Party Wear shirts (each costing Rs 700) around his waist. Later, when we caught him in the act, he was embarrassed and agreed to pay the amount through his Debit Card.

”Continuing, he added, “A few days later, this man again came to the Mall, carrying a bundle of currency notes to prove his high status. He then purchased a couple of the same brand of shirts.

”According to Nagar, who also works as a Field Officer for Delhi based SISS Group Security Agency, they have deployed two levels of security at Vishal: Internal and External. “While the internal security comprises CCTV cameras at undisclosed locations (except the trial rooms) and Vishal’s own employees, the External Security is managed by over a dozen Private Security guards,” he said.

Interestingly, at Vishal, which is a three-storeyed complex, about 90% shoplifters comprise women. “They mostly like to steal cosmetic goods like lipsticks… while the men prefer shirts, jackets, etc.,” said Rakesh Arora (name changed), who had earlier worked in four other Vishal outlets in Delhi.

“Unlike Delhi, where I worked earlier, the incidence of shoplifting cases in Doon is quite high,” added Arora, stating that rarely does one get away with stolen goods here. “We use a sensor based technology that alerts us anytime someone tries to take away goods without paying at the counter”.

http://www.garhwalpost.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=Feature&article=80