Columbus prosecutors say the number of shoplifting cases and the value of stolen items both rose last year over previous years. There were more than 41 hundred cases of shoplifting last year, up from 28 hundred in 2009. Nearly 700 thousand dollars in merchandise was stolen last year, an increase of 100 thousand over 2014. And the value of stolen merchandise last year rose on average by 22 percent. Most of the thefts are committed by repeat offenders, and the costs to retailers of stolen items are passed on to consumers. The city says the increase is due to drug abuse, repeat offenders and merchants doing a better job of catching thieves. High-end jeans, vacuum cleaners and power tools are among the most-stolen items.
Number Of Shoplifting Cases In Columbus Rose Last Year
