The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention reports that more than $10 billion worth of goods are stolen each year. The number of those who pilfer from retailers is staggering. There are about 23 million shoplifters in this country, or about one in 11 people. According to Avery, when a book is stolen from Ariel it takes two more copies of that same book to pay for the cost of the stolen one. Still, the business owner balks at the idea of installing check-point systems at the store's entrances. "We would never do that," Avery said. Waging a war against shoplifting would put Avery in a compromising position. During the week, Ariel's business is primarily people from the community, and the weekends bring additional volume from the tourist population. Avery said the presence of the security systems would be unnerving to his customers.

Patrick Adams, general manager of the family-owned Adams Fairacre Farms, said the business, which started as a farm stand in 1932 on Route 44 in Poughkeepsie to three grocery stores in Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties, also faces a dilemma when it comes to putting security measures into place. "It's a tough balance. We don't want people running around like vigilantes. We want to maintain a comfortable environment," Adams said, adding that some surveillance is necessary. To combat the problem, Adams relies mostly on cameras and the watchful eyes of its store managers to keep the amount of stolen goods to a minimum. Adams said the current economy, coupled with a growing population, means the problem will probably worsen. "I don't see it getting any better," Adams said.

$2 billion stolen

Nationally, the problem is severe. Hayes International's Sixteenth Annual Retail Theft Survey reports that of the 24 U.S. retail companies surveyed, $2 billion was lost due to shoplifting and employee theft in 2003. Only 4.6 percent of those losses were recovered, meaning that for every dollar recovered, another $20.76 is lost to retail theft. Mark R. Doyle, Vice President at Hayes International, said everyone pays a price when people steal. "To the business it's not only profits stolen, but the sales because they can't sell the item. For the consumer, the retailer has to pass the cost along resulting in higher prices for the consumer," Doyle said. The National Retail Federation reported in its 2004 Holiday Survival Kit that shoplifting made up 32 percent of the retail inventory shrinkage nationwide in 2003. And since it is a low-risk crime with no jail time attached to it, coupled with retailers who won't prosecute, Doyle said there's not much to discourage thieves. Steve Warren, owner of M&M Army Navy in the City of Poughkeepsie, said business owners must make sure their employees are always observant. "I tell them you're in a rough neighborhood. If you're not observant they'll steal, but if they see someone watching they're not going to take anything," Warren said. Doyle said that's good advice.

Marcus Abercrombie, 34, of Atlanta was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard Story to 20 months, while David Oliver, 36, and Mindy Oliver, 40, of Hampton were sentenced to three years, 10 months and a year and eight months respectively.

Abercrombie has forfeited over $186,000 to go toward restitution for the two companies, and the Olivers are responsible for $229,000 in restitution, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The three pleaded guilty to fraud charges earlier this year in a scheme in which bar codes were taken from cheaper items and affixed to high-end goods at the home-improvement stores in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina.