Was in Woolies today and an older gentleman (~70?) in a large brown jacket was in the chocolate aisle standing next to the $1 chocolate bars. My spidey senses were tingling and I decided to keep an eye on him, pretending to examine how unhealthy for me each choccy bar was. He grabbed about 5 large Picnic bars then whilst there were a few people around continued to stuff said Picnics into the top pocket of his jacket. He also grabbed some Cherry Ripes and put them into his "shopping bags" all whilst I was watching, hoping to deter him. I hate stealing as I once did it when I was 15 and realised the error of my ways and how it impacts businesses.
Decided to tell the first staff member I saw whilst waiting at the checkout who i thought would then tell a manager or someone. As i was scanning my own chocolates I kept an eye on what the person who i told was doing. They didn't do anything. Just kept walking around the main counter having a joke with another staff member then started "guarding" the self-service checkouts. I guess there's not a huge amount they can do?
It happened previously about 2 months ago but in Coles. I was also in the chocolate aisle and saw a middle aged couple lean over and grab a hand full of chocolates. As with the older guy above i had my suspicions. I finished buying my own chocolates and walked to the self-service checkout bays only to find said couple already there and none of the chocolates they had picked up were anywhere to be seen, only some fruit and bags of things (that are not easily concealable in a jacket for instance). I told the self-service checkout guard but by that time the couple had already left the shop and I was told they can't do anything once the person has left the premises.
If you're wondering why I hang around chocolate aisles a lot it's because I run a social club at work :).
Next time take that 70 year old down in a UFC arm-lock and make a citizen's arrest ;)