Recent research into why people shoplift if they can actually afford to pay has yielded some startling results. Dr. Cupchik, a Canadian psychologist, has unearthed that of all the professions, more doctors, nurses, and police officers have been caught shoplifting. “These are professions that deal with loss – such as loss of life – on a daily basis. They don’t process how to handle the experience of loss.” These people do not shoplift for profit and when caught often show remorse and a lack of comprehension as to why they committed the crime. Barbara Staib said, “people can be very ashamed. One woman told us that she wished she was an alcoholic instead of a shoplifter.” The woman told Ms. Staib that she would get a more positive response from her friends if she told them she was dealing with alcoholism as opposed to dealing with a shoplifting problem.

Staib said, “We can excuse alcoholics but a shoplifter may have the same issues – it is very complicated. It is an addiction and they need treatment”. Better not to leave your herrenuhren around a shoplifting addict!