Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1902 — RENSSELAER’S SHOPLIFTERS. [ARTICLE]

RENSSELAER’S SHOPLIFTERS.

We often read in the city papers of shoplifting in the big department stores and the occasional arrest of the “lifter.” When prominent society ladies in the city are caught red handed it is usually called “Kleptomania,” instead of plain every-day stealing, or the lady is politely invited by. the store detective to a private room, plainly accused of the theft and the articles stolen are returned and the public hears nothing of the matter. Thousands of cases of this kind occur each year in the large cities like Chicago or New York and never come to public notice because of the prominence of the offenders. While we read of the few cases that appear in public print with little concern because we do not know the parties whose names names are brought into disgrace because of their anxiety to get something without paying for it, we never think that we may have shoplifters right at our own door. Yet such is a fact, and Rensselaer merchants will tell you if questioned closely that they are very numerous for the size of the city and cause no little worry and loss. One lady whom one of the big stores here suspiscioned of having stolen numerous articles of considerable value from the counters, was some time ago caught redhanded and was politely but firmly told by the proprietor that if she did not return every article she had taken she would be arrested and exposed, and a large amount of plunder was returned. Another lady had the audacity to send an article back to the same store she had stolen it from and have it exchanged, because the stolen article didn’t fit! Another store had a five dollar skirt stolen from its counters only a few weeks ago. Only last week a lady entered the grocery department of one of our department stores and picked up a handsome and costly dish and secreted it under her cloak. She was seen by the proprietor and when she left the store he followed her for about a block and, on catching up with her, told her in plain English that if she did not return the dish at once he would cause her arrest. The dish was returned. Numerous other cases might be mentioned where the prominence of the ladies has saved them from exposure. Some day forebearance will cease to be a virtue and arrest and exposure will follow. Then tliere will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. It would be well for these “Kleptomaniacs” to take heed, ere retribution and the disgrace sure to come overtakes them