Algonquin police cracking down on Randall shoplifting

As the holiday shopping season officially commences today -- Black Friday -- so does an increase in five-finger discounts.

Like an extra slice of pumpkin pie, Algonquin's booming Randall Road retail hub is tempting territory for shoplifters, said Deputy Police Chief Ed Urban.

"Like they say in 'Field of Dreams' -- if you build it, they will come," Urban said. "Shoplifting is definitely something that's occurring more and more here, especially during the holidays."

By partnering with loss prevention firms who specialize in retail theft, Algonquin police have begun an aggressive campaign to keep holiday shoplifting in check.

Sting time

In the first of several shoplifting stings, police arrested six area teenagers who were shoplifting Nov. 16 at Algonquin Commons, the 80-store outdoor mall at Randall and County Line roads.

Clothing, jewelry and accessories were taken from a number of higher-end stores, officials said. A combined force of loss prevention specialists and Algonquin officers worked together to pinpoint, then arrest, the shoplifters.

"We take people into custody, but (the loss prevention firm specialists) are the experts at identifying people who act behaviorally," Urban said.

The specialists scrutinize the walks of shoppers, how they peruse items in stores, even where they park.

Urban compares loss prevention firms' theft-catching skills to his staff knowing how to identify drunken drivers on the road.

"Generally, when you're out on patrol, you can sometimes look at a car and find out if a guy is intoxicated or not by a number of signals. Shoplifting too. … It's not a 100 percent science, but that's their bread and butter," Urban said.

Urban, says several more unannounced stings will take place during the holiday season.

"If you're shoplifting in Algonquin -- think twice," he said.

What to know

If you own or work in a retail store, be aware, officials advise.

"If people are acting strange, call the police," Deputy Chief Steven Kuzynowksi said.

Make sure your video cameras and surveillance systems are working properly, meet and greet customers and make eye contact to let potential shoplifters know you're keeping an eye out for risky activity.

"Shoplifting is always going to be around in some capacity," Urban said. "But awareness is key."