What Happens When You Ask Someone to Shoplift for You in Fort Myers?

Shoplifting in Fort Myers is one thing, but what if you merely ask someone else to shoplift on your behalf? This type of situation is more common than many people realize, and there are numerous “shoplifting rings” operating in the Florida area. If you participate in this shoplifting industry, you face serious consequences. As a recent story shows, the consequences can be especially serious if you enlist certain people to shoplift on your behalf.

Florida Woman Accused of Using Small Child to Carry Out Shoplifting Offenses 

In October of 2024, Law & Crime reported that a Florida woman was facing serious charges for shoplifting in the Fort Myers area. However, she did not personally steal anything – and she simply filled up a cart with merchandise before directing her child to leave the store. The child was the one who attempted to push the cart out of the Target location – and the woman followed a few minutes later. Eventually, authorities realized what she had done.

Video surveillance footage from the scene reportedly shows the women loading up the cart with several high-ticket items – including barista machines and a vacuum cleaner worth over $1,000. Although the pair seemingly escaped the scene, the woman was later arrested for panhandling – and an officer realized she was wanted for the earlier shoplifting offense.

According to the report, she now faces one count of grand theft larceny over $750. She also faces one count of “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”

Running a Retail Theft Ring Is a Serious Offense in Florida 

Generally speaking, asking someone else to shoplift on your behalf is an example of “organized retail theft.” This is essentially a conspiracy charge. Whenever a group of people gets together and agrees to commit retail theft, it is a more serious offense. If you are accused of running the “retail theft ring,” you face potential felony charges. In other words, people who ask others to steal on their behalf could face worse penalties compared to someone who steals items directly.

That being said, there may be numerous defenses to these allegations. If someone simply tells police officers that you ordered them to steal items without any evidence, it could be difficult to prove that you were involved in the crime.

You might also be able to cast into doubt the initial shoplifting offense. If the person accused of stealing on your behalf argues that they took the items accidentally, they might be able to avoid charges. With no underlying shoplifting charges, it could be difficult to convict you of running the alleged retail theft ring.

Discuss Your Options Alongside a Shoplifting Defense Lawyer in Fort Myers 

While shoplifting charges may be more serious if you ask someone else to steal on your behalf, you do not have to navigate this legal process on your own. Help is available, and an experienced criminal defense attorney in Fort Myers can help you strive for positive outcomes. Reach out to the Foley & Wilson Law Firm today to learn more about your legal options.

Sources: 

lawandcrime.com/crime/florida-woman-allegedly-used-a-child-under-the-age-of-10-to-help-her-steal-a-barista-machine-and-a-vacuum-cleaner-from-target-during-a-big-ticket-shoplifting-spree/

wftv.com/news/local/9-investigates-how-organized-retail-theft-rings-operate-central-florida/OZAYORYXLFESVLI62LKYAEADJM/