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Skywalker[TSG] · 08-21-2003, 10:52 PM

This week 2 seniors have died after they have been caught shoplifting.

A 81 year old man who stole a piece of cheese worth $1.50
and a 68 year old woman who stole a bag of apples.

The police also got another call from a store that caught a 78 year old , They police dept didn't sent a patrol to arrest him fearing that he would also die.

Should senior citizens caught for these petty crimes be treated any better then lets say a 15 year old ? Should we perhaps even look the other way when it comes to people this old ?

It's not really worth dying over a piece of cheese or some apples.
Maybe they should just take a copy of their ID and sent them home.Then later send a bill for the item instead of calling the cops.

Urban_Squrill · 08-21-2003, 10:54 PM

I like your idea.

Telexen · 08-21-2003, 10:56 PM

I don't...It's ridiculous that they aren't punished for doing the same thing a kid would get nailed for. So much for the American way.

Mike · 08-21-2003, 11:03 PM

Well he is in Sweden you know.

willy_ph · 08-21-2003, 11:05 PM

It's pretty likely that they suffer from kleptomania. Kleptomaniacs commonly steal cheap, pointless items. They steal them, not because they truly require the items, but because they cannot control the impulse to steal that particular item.

I used to work for a store in my small town that had a problem with an elderly lady who was a kleptomaniac. Whenever an item was stolen we would simply call the family who would then return and pay for the item. She was known by all the merchants in town, who didn't prosecute her for her crime, but rather accepted payment for the item as they understood that it was a condition that she could not control.

Skywalker[TSG] · 08-21-2003, 11:07 PM

Telexen : They would be punished why did you think the cops came ? to drive them home ?

The thing that upsets me is that these things could be handled better.Instead of spending tax payers money arresting a senile 81year old who stole a piece of cheese probably without even knowing it .The store/law could bill him for the product/ fine.

The 81 year old actually paid for 8 other products , so he probably just forgot he had the cheese in his pocket.

Mickwish · 08-21-2003, 11:16 PM

In that scenario I think the shop is at fault for calling the police. They have the legal right to do so, obviously, but in the case of a possibly senile man who paid for goods and forgot one item, prosecution is taking it a bit too far,. What do they want, to be a lesson to other senile folks? That ain't gonna work, is it?

I my miss-spent youth, kids caught shoplifting the first time got help by the ear by the manager while he called your mum. Getting caught a second time gave you a free ride in a police car.

Maybe the shop owners need to chill out a little. IMO.

Cheers
Mick