Beer theft in Wilhelmshaven: perpetrator misses the opportunity and flees without a backpack!

Beer theft in Wilhelmshaven: perpetrator misses the opportunity and flees without a backpack!

Yesterday in Wilhelmshaven a theft caused a stir. On Tuesday afternoon, November 18th, between 4:05 p.m. and 4:10 p.m., a 45-year-old man wanted to put several beer bottles in his backpack in the supermarket on Weserstrasse and leave the market without paying. But the employees didn't let him get away and spoke to him before he reached the checkout area. In the rush, the man fled but left his backpack in the store, which contained personal papers that allowed police to identify him. An investigation into theft was immediately initiated. [nwzonline].

What led the man to his criminal plan? The reasons for increasing cases of theft vary, but a well-known connection is the tense economic situation. According to news.de, difficulties due to increased inflation and falling purchasing power are often driving factors. Professional gangs of thieves have also increased recently, while the number of opportunist thieves who act out of necessity or boredom is also increasing.

The increasing crime in retail

In 2023, retail saw a massive increase in theft cases. Approximately 426,000 shoplifting reports were recorded - the highest number since 2006. This puts retailers in an awkward position, saddled with high theft prevention costs. In 2023 they spent a total of 1.55 billion euros on it. The statistics from Deutschlandfunk show that goods worth around 13 million euros are stolen on every sales day, and the inventory loss noticeable in retail in the last two years amounted to 4.6 billion euros in 2022 and 4.8 billion euros in 2023.

Meanwhile, consumers must prepare for rising prices as the costs of theft prevention are ultimately passed on to customers. Alcoholic drinks are particularly sought after by thieves, as the 45-year-old's case clearly illustrates. Police crime statistics show a continuing trend where fewer staff to monitor sales areas contributes to this trend.

Legal proceedings and the consequences

The legal consequences for shoplifting are clearly defined in Germany. Simple shoplifting can be punished with fines or imprisonment of up to five years. Serious theft can even be punished with prison sentences of three months to ten years. Especially in the case of young perpetrators, the courts resort to juvenile criminal law, which is aimed at educational measures. Meanwhile, retailers hope that thefts will be punished more quickly and consistently in order to protect their stores.

Yesterday's event shows once again that there is a need for action in retail to reduce theft and protect employees. The question remains as to how retailers and the police can respond together to the rising numbers.