Why do you think people steal? Think about the following story and ask yourself if this thief should be mandated to take a stop theft class as a consequence of their actions. I ask you to ask yourself if a theft class taken in school (perhaps an 8-hour stop theft class taught annually beginning in 5th grade) might have deterred this thief before she made national headlines for illegal activity.

Lori Suter was arrested for shoplifting $4 worth of merchandise. For her stupidity she now faces up to 8 years behind bars. Yes, you read that correctly – 8 years. On a $$$/year bases this may be the worst deal in history, 2 years per $1 of merchandise stolen. I might prefer the Islamic way of having a finger removed! As reported in www.cantonrep.com.

The charge is a second-degree felony which carries with it a maximum sentence upon conviction of 8 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Jail records said she attempted to shoplift $4.19 worth of merchandise from Thorne’s IGA and, after fleeing the store, knocked an employee to the ground.

Three days after the event, as I write this, she remains in jail. Could the crime possibly have been worth this?