the police will come out
a very good friend worked as a greeter @ food lion type store...(read as security). they stopped numerous ppl who were 'sneaking' out of the store pushing their cart w/o paying for its contents. merchandise included massive amounts of laundry soap (drug making material), meats, canned goods, etc. one cart contained $850 worth of merchandise. sr mgmt told my friend since they had put in the greeter corp, after reviewing what was being taken, they believed they were preventing merchandise lost in the amount of $18 - 20K a week!!.
every time my firends group challenged someone, the perp normally abandoned and left their cart in the doorway, my friend stated they wouldn't chase but just 'casually' walk outside to get the license number, if it could be obtained, and they notified the police. every time the police were notified they arrived (abet hours later but they arrived to clear the call) and made a report. several times my friend was key in identifying the suspect.
several police officers indicated if they felt the information was timely and the suspect managed to get away w/merchandise, they would put out a broadcast to see if they could catch the BG. it was an easy collar as they now know where the supects live.
remember this is big business and presents a huge loss to the bottom line of that business. police reports lend credence to prove to accountants and tax examiners the business can take the $$$$$$ loss off of their corp returns.
bottom line, from the OP's post, it appears these store employees were following food lion's loss recovery policy(s) and the real question is if they actually put the number on their police report list.
wabbit
PS: i initially felt this kinda theft was due to the current economic downturn (read recession) and was wondering how i could help these unfortunate ppl. after talking to my friend at length on the merchandise stolen and some of the responding officers, they informed me for the most part they theft has nothing to do w/feeding a family but rather drug trade (massive amounts of detergent) and ppl taking orders from friends and they go in and steal the merchandise and then selling it to the ppl who ordered it for pennies on the dollar.
PPS: a sidebar...please support and continue to support your local food banks, commerical, religious entity, or wherever, as there are ppl throughout your community who are experiencing a tremendous hardship maintaining their lives. one rule of thumb i use...for every five boxes of ammo i purchase or a new firearm, i buy a case or two of canned corn, peas, etc. and then deliver it to the local bank monthly.