As a counselor for both in-class and online stop theft classes I have heard just about every excuse in the book for why people shoplift. Believe it or not, a fairly common excuse is they steal for therapy.

One Wisconsin man enjoys the finer things in life, but does not care to pay for them. Eventually, or more than eventually, he is going to get caught. Just last week a serial shoplifter, identified only a 52-year-old serial thief, was nabbed by a Sendik's Fine Foods manager. As reported in brookfield-wi.patch.com.

What was he stealing? two packages each of steaks and crab legs, worth about $126.

Rumble in the Parking Lot

A Sendik's manager confronted the man at his vehicle and during a tussle, grabbed the man's jacket, with the stolen meats falling out. The manager reached inside the car and grabbed another bag before the man fled.

He was caught on surveillance camera with a bag that had seven steaks and has a long criminal record including numerous retail theft charges and convictions. He also stole food at least two other times this year and has a history of stealing lobster and other meats.

Shoplifting as Therapy?

A 16-year-old girl caught trying to stock up on cosmetics and accessories was arrested with merchandise from six different stores hidden in her purse and on her person. Now that is brazen – going from store to store shoplifting.

Why does she steal? The girl said she steals pretty things whenever she’s mad at her mother, always feels badly afterward, and, tearfully, was mortified by what her family would now think of her now.

I hope both of these thieves take a Wisconsin shoplifting class and seek counseling for any other mental or emotional problems they may suffer from.