Target

Target

by Dr. Santa

This is first hand knowledge from someone that not only used to work for Target, but was an Assets Protection Team Leader (LP manager) for several stores. Why would I write this article? For starters, I'm tired of reading articles by amateurs, the kind of amateurs that we used to catch all of the time. I have my own personal anarchistic/nihilistic reasons for wanting the company's shrink to go through the roof. First off, a lesson in the Assets Protection structure at Target. Remember, you are responsible for how you use this information. This article is for informational purposes only, if you get caught, that's on you.

The people that stand at the doors are called Target Protection Specialists (TPS). The people in plain clothes that walk the floor and look at cameras are called Assets Protection Specialists (APS). The manager of the AP team at store level is the Assets Protection Team Leader (APTL). There are of course district APTL's and so on up. There are market investigators that investigate organized theft rings (MIT's), and check fraud etc.

Now, some of their policies that you need to know about. The TPS' cannot make apprehensions unless they are directed to do so by an APS or APTL. There are five steps that must be followed in order for an APS/APTL to apprehend a shoplifter:

1- Initiate observation. Must see the individual in an area without the company's merchandise.

2- Selection. Must observe the subject select Target merchandise.

3- Concealment. Must observe the subject conceal Target merchandise. Reasonable doubt can be used. For instance, if you see someone with a cd in their hands, and they turn around, with their back facing you, and when they turn back the merchandise is no longer in their hands.

4- Maintain observation. Must maintain reasonable observation of the individual.

5- Exit/Apprehension. The individual must pass all points of sale, making no attempt to pay for the stolen merchandise.

Now I need to clarify a few things. Just like there are laws that are broken everyday, so Target AP team members break the rules. Just like our citizens, some AP members bend the rules, some outright break them, and some altruists follow them to a T (they aren't around long though because they don't catch anyone). Most are somewhere in the middle. The first two rules are not important. The 3rd and 4th are critical, particularly the 4th. Let me give you some examples of ways to make your shoplifting experience at Target both enjoyable and profitable:

1: The lone shoplifter. You're alone and want to get some things. Fine. Just don't come in looking like a meth addict that needs a quick fix. Now, Target AP team members are not to discriminate based on age, race, social status (poor) etc....right. Believe that if you want. If you walk into a Target store with trashy, baggy jeans, an antisocial t-shirt, and more hair color than cyndi lauper you will be watched (if someone is working, or paying attention). I'm not saying wear a suit and tie, just ask yourself, "if I was in AP, would I watch me"? Ok, there's a ton of things you can get, let's just say you want a few DVD's. You make a selection (I would suggest no more than three at one time), now make your way to the back of the store. Go somewhere in the back that is not next to anything they would want a camera on (GPS units for instance, probably have a camera on them). Go somewhere in toys, furniture, etc. Make your move quickly and decisively, no need to look around, just be alone on the aisle you conceal on. Even if they see you, you're still in the clear because now I'm about to reveal the holy grail of shoplifter insider trading...AP cannot make apprehensions if you go to the fitting room or the restroom. PERIOD! I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but it is VERY rare, and they usually get written up for doing it. So now, you go to the fitting room with a pair of jeans. Go inside for a minute or two. This gives you a chance to make sure that they cannot see a square imprint on your pants. If they see the imprint they might take you! Now, the second holy grail...go to the bathroom. Most likely if you were being watched they would try to "PMR" you. PMR stands for 'Productive Merchandise Recovery', in plain terms they will try to intimidate you into 'dumping' the merchandise. If you see the TPS come in, or a guy in plain clothes with a radio staring at you, they are trying to PMR you. If they were going to apprehend you they would conceal themselves as much as possible (you most likely won't see them). If they are PMR'ing you then you've won the game. Simply smile and leave. Don't worry about the alarm, just keep going. If they stop you make up something like, "you're watching me because I'm FILL IN THE BLANK". Tell them you don't have time for this and keep going. Now, don't do this ALL the time because the team can get permission to make a bathroom/restroom stop from their DAPTL if they show a pattern on an individual, but only in extreme cases.

I recommend shoplifting in groups. The following is almost full-proof (nothing is 100%).

2- Box Stuffing

Why more people don't do this I will never know. I see idiots walk in and fill up a cart of merchandise and walk out. It's bold and will work often, but if they are watching you're toast. Box stuffing needs at least 2 people, but three works best. The toughest part about this is getting up in the morning! You should start this routine between 8:15 and 11:00 am, the earlier the better. Take a marker, clear packing tape and a box-cutter with you. Get a cart and select whatever you want to lift. Think about what you want and then go to the box size you need. For instance, if you are taking as much electronics merchandise as you can, then you'll need to go to a vacuum aisle. If you just want 10 dvd's, then go to the lamp aisle in furniture. Let's assume you're going for a big load. Go to vacuums. If you have a lookout, great, they will help you stop when a team member or guest (customer) comes near the aisle. Now think SPEED! You will want to open the vacuum (the cheaper the better) on the bottom. You will then begin stuffing as much of the merchandise in the box as possible. If there is tape on the box that has a bullseye,and TARGET on it, that is ok. Once you get all of the merchandise in then seal the box up with the clear tape OVER the Target tape. The cashier won't be able to tell! Now take your marker and mark the box with a small dot (don't use black)near the bottom or on the bottom. Have your accomplice (NOT YOU) come in at least one hour later (no more than 2-3, or else someone else might get your treasure). Tell them to get a cart, go to the vacuum aisle, and look around for a couple of minutes. Make it look like they are shopping, but don't go overboard, a couple of minutes is fine. Find your box by the mark (and the description of the vacuum from the accomplice) and put the vacuum in the cart. When you go to the checkout just go up, smile, and help the cashier by moving the box closer to them so they can scan the vacuum WITHOUT holding the box. Now, if the phone rings, and they ask to check the box you've been caught! But that's ok, they can't apprehend you. If this happens just act like you're in a hurry and leave. You have not committed a crime. As far as the law is concerned, all you did was get a vacuum that had merchandise in it. Make sure the person buying the stuffed box is driving a different vehicle than the person that stuffed it. Later, you can bring the vacuum back with the receipt and return it. Now, if you go to the same store all of the time, eventually a market investigator might get involved. Just don't get greedy and you'll be fine.

3- The bathroom heist (works better for women).

Ok, this only works for small items (cd's, dvd's, etc). You need two people for this. Have a friend (same sex) waiting for you in the car. Arrange for them to go into the store 2 minutes after you. You go in and select whatever you want (make sure the other person can conceal it all, this is why women are better for this because they have purses). The second person will have already entered the store and gone into the restroom. Have them wait in a stall. You go in with the merchandise out in the open. Go into the other stall. Peek down at your friend's shoes to make sure they are next to you. Do not talk! Hand the merchandise over, have them conceal and walk out. You wait two minutes, and then leave. They might try to PMR you, but you don't have anything, so just walk right out. If they apprehend you then you've really hit pay dirt! Don't admit ANYTHING...you did nothing wrong. Tell them you changed your mind and put them down, you don't know where they are at. They will let you go, and you are in the clear. Then call back and complain, you might get a giftcard out of it! There is virtually no chance of getting caught at this game!

As many of you know, there are other ways to go about stealing from Target, but these are almost guaranteed to get you off free! Don't do stupid shit like walk out the fire exit with a cart load of merchandise. Yes, people do it, but they will immediately pull pictures of you entering the store and then distribute those pictures to other store's AP teams. Why bring that kind of attention to yourself? If you know someone that works for Target then you are really in the clear, because it makes box stuffing 10 times easier! Having a cashier pass merchandise works, but is risky. All it takes is for one of the AP members to be watching and your both going to jail. If you guys like this article, let me know, and I will reveal some other secrets! Never admit if you are caught, don't say a word!