News 12 at 11 o'clock, August 15, 2008

AUGUSTA,Ga. --- Shoplifters come from all walks of life. They range from teenagers, to the elderly. They can be rich or poor. There are dozens of cases reported in the CSRA each month.

According to one study,each family in the United States pays as much as $2000 extra in retail stores each year because of shoplifting.
Some stores even charge up to 7 cents per dollar to cover retail theft.
Estimates vary but some retailers are forced to raise prices as much as 15 percent to cover losses.

On Thursday Allison Lundy was arrested and charged with stealing 4,000 dollars in jewelry from J.C.Penney. Another woman was also arrested last week. She is accused of stealing jewerly from Dilliard's.

Sometimes it is an inside job; especially at businesses like Walmart or other department stores. Back in June at the Walmart located in Evans, the accused shoplifter was an employee who allegedly took an Xbox 360 and a Playstation.

Last month Richmond County reported more than 120 cases. That number has almost doubled since January. Authorities say there is an increase in the summer months with teenage shoplifters.