Theft is theft – plain and simple. All theft is wrong and should never be condoned. That said there are professional shoplifters who need to be treated like the hardened criminals they are. These thieves steal for money.

Two “professional” shoplifters in Santa Fe, New Mexico have had their “careers” cut short as police caught the duo who have been pilfering pricey merchandise from high-end stores in Santa Fe. This reported by www.krqe.com.

So far police think these two have been responsible for thefts valued up to $70,000.

Robert Rivera, 25, and Cassandra Logan, 23, are responsible for thefts from several stores in downtown Santa Fe, according to police.

The couple’s sneaky techniques got them out the door without being caught, but their taste for pricey picks also led them to stores that had surveillance cameras.

Logan, described as “pretty, petite and cunning” walked into a jewelry store on Valentine’s Day. Another adjective could be brazen. She tried on a $40,000 Cartier Watch, even had the employees size it for her, and walked right out.

Logan and she played it off as if she was looking for her mother outside. But once the employee turned away she bolted. She ran right into a car that belongs to Rivera, her boyfriend.

Just weeks before that jewelry store hit, Rivera waltzed into a Santa Fe gallery specializing in Native American products. Surveillance video showed him slipping into a back room and stuffing items down his pants. He shoved $24K worth of artifacts down his drawers.

Shameful behavior by American citizens. When did so many people not want to make money the old-fashioned way – by earning it? Hopefully a stop theft class, some time behind bars and perhaps even career counseling with keep these two off the road to perdition.