I’m a lawyer – Walmart switched up the way it deals with thefts and you’re now more likely to be caught than ever

WALMART has put more security staff in its stores where crime is high as bosses try to stop shoppers from stealing items, lawyers have said.

It is one of the strategies the retailer is using to clamp down on theft.

Lawyers at the firm JacksonWhite in Arizona cited data from 2007 which revealed that Walmart lost around $3billion a year from theft.

Since then, Walmart bosses have deployed more security staff at stores where crime is higher.

It is a misdemeanor under Arizona state law to shoplift items worth up to $1,000.

Offenders may be punished with community service but more serious offenses could result in a potential 60-day jail sentence or fines worth up to $2,500.

Shoplifters could get between four months and two years in jail if they are caught stealing items between $1,000 and $2,000.

But, those who can prove that they didn’t intend to shoplift may be able to escape punishment.

This might apply to shoppers who accidentally left the store without paying for an item.

Between January 2021 and March 2022, more than 60 customers were arrested at a Walmart store in Tucson after accidentally forgetting to scan some items.

Counselor Sandra Barger said she’s heard the tale that shoppers failed to scan one item and have been given a ticket.

She told KGUN9: “I had one client that had his kids with him and it was the simple one item that he missed, which can happen. Anyone can do that.”

She believes shoppers should have the chance to scan items they may have missed before the cops are called.

One shopper, who is in her 60s, was left in "complete shock" when cops handed her a petty theft citation after she failed to scan some items.

Meanwhile, lawyers have revealed what punishments thieves in Florida may receive if they are caught shoplifting.

And, a Walmart staffer, known only as Cam, has claimed that workers know when customers are trying to steal items.

Employees carry a handheld device that allows staff to pause self-checkout machines when they have suspicions.

If workers suspect that you’re stealing merchandise at one of the self-checkout machines, they have an option to pause your machine remotely from their handheld device.

To a shopper, it looks as though the machine is dealing with a general glitch or error.

Once your self-checkout machine has been remotely paused, you’ll have no choice but to call a Walmart employee over for help.

There is also a large screen that monitors customers who decide to use the self-checkout.

Walmart stores also have dozens of security cameras that can help bosses watch customers’ movements.