Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department When people see criminal charges in police logs or other places, questions for this column are often asked. The charge of shoplifting is always interesting, as it contains so many parts. I was asked to explain shoplifting by “asportation.” Shoplifting, under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 266 Section 30A, contains several ways a person can commit a violation. Asportation is one of these terms and it is contained in the first section of the law. It is defined by Webster's Dictionary as "The act of carrying a thing away; the removing of a thing from one place to another." This is the most common offense people associate with shoplifting. The definition can be rather complex, however; it generally involves intentionally taking possession of an item and carrying it away from the place in which it is stored. The most common example of this is when a person goes into a store, takes an item, and leaves without paying for it. The shoplifting statute does contain many other charges as well. They include concealment, altering merchandise, label switching, and more. As for the concealment portion, the mere act of taking an item and placing it in your pocket, without leaving the store, could possibly be considered as shoplifting. If you take the price tag off one item and place it on another, it can also qualify as a violation under this section. Shoplifting cost the retail industry billions of dollars each year and the losses are passed on to the paying customers. Penalties can include a fine or jail time, depending on the value of the item. Police officers also have a statutory right of arrest for this charge without a warrant. |
As the pandemic continues, we ask everyone to stay safe and continue to take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves. For those eligible, vaccination information can find it at www.dudleyma.gov or by calling 508-949-8036. We continue to serve the people of Dudley and work with the community to improve the quality of life for everyone. I thank the men and women from my department for their continued dedicated service to the Town during these trying times. Thanks also go out to the many Police Officers, Fire and Emergency Services members, public works, health care, government officials, and all other “essential” personnel for their continued hard work and service. We all hope for a quick end to this pandemic and greatly appreciate the support we receive from our community.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St., Dudley, MA. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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