I spotted them the minute they walked through the entrance. It was the look they gave each other that gave them away. The look that says "lets do it" with a lot more tension than what is called for just to go shop in the largest shopping mall in Italy. I work there as Chief of Security so I have years of experience spotting the right people. I followed them at a distance using the reflections in the glass windows while pretending to be a shopper myself. I knew they would end up in the jewellery store on second. They circled a little and crossed their own path a few times but like a dog following a scent they moved in the right direction. It was a pair of very good looking women just past their prime. I guessed at around early forties. They were, however, dressed like teenagers.
When they arrived at the jewellery shop they gave each other another of those looks and went in. I swiftly followed. I found the shop owner whom I had worked with previously. He pretended to show me a collection of rings while letting me discreetly follow the girl's activity. At the women's request, a shop assistant presented them with an array of gold necklaces with diamond attachments, which they each touched and tried on while making comments to each other. The way they did it, constantly talking and moving, it looked like a rehearsed ´distract and snatch´ scam to me. I tried to keep up but it was impossible at a distance so I had to decide whether or not to follow my hunch.
When they left I followed again and just outside the mall I approached them.
"Dear ladies," I said, as politely as any shop employee approaching customers. I waited for them to turn before speaking on: "There has been an incidence of theft in the shop you just left and I would like you to follow me to clear this up."
"No way," snarled the leading woman. "Get lost." When I didn't ´get lost´, she added, "We are in a hurry." She looked a little like a hippie with curly long red hair, lots of pearls and embroidery on her nice and expensive looking jacket. She had a very curvy body with large outstanding breasts and a Latino looking bottom.
"Sorry ladies," I said, polite as ever. "Your only option is to come with me or get arrested and be brought to the station downtown. There is a police car just around the corner here and I'm sure they will be happy to take you. What do you prefer?" I asked.
"Sophie, let's do as the man suggests. I am sure it's a mistake. I am sure there is nothing wrong," said the blond women. She had the same age and figure but was wearing a conservative looking dress. However, over the dress, she wore a sheepskin jacket with lots of pearls and embroidery which did not suit her age.
"This way ladies," I said and led them into my control room. There was a small guest room just for these type of visits. I asked them to sit down, which they did, and offered them coffee, which they rejected.
The redhead called Sophie was clearly the leader. The blonde was always one step behind her and constantly looking at her for approval.
"I will be back in just five minutes," I said, knowing that twenty was more likely.
I called the jewellery shop, who by now had found out they were missing a diamond necklace, and asked them to transfer their surveillance video file. After only thirty seconds six different views popped up on my portable computer. I fast-forwarded to the moment when the women entered the shop but it took me three reviews to see the scam. Both women had after some time gotten the lady helping them to show them two necklaces each and while the blonde was putting one on and demanding an opinion from the lady the redhead was switching the empty box with one of hers and asking for two new samples. Now they had five necklaces and four boxes so it was just a few seconds before the redhead slid a necklace down her pocket. They swapped a bit back on forth and finally paid for one. The helper checked that the remaining boxes were full and off they went.
Next I watched the internal video of our guest room. The women carefully checked for cameras first but the three that were there were concealed in the lamp bulbs. Then they discussed a bit and emptied a cigarette package and put the necklace into it and pushed it deep into the garbage bin.
I brought the computer into the room and apologised for having taken so long.
The redhead said, "Can we go now. We are in a hurry. We can have a dozen lawyers here in 10 minutes if you want to keep us here." She tried to sound threatening but her voice was breaking and her hands shaking.
"Let me have some ID please," I asked and when they gave me their ID, I mailed the info to my contact at the local police.
"Ladies, I would like to show you something," I said and started first the screen show from the shop and then the surveillance video from the room. I really enjoy those moments when stuck-up people realise they are caught and now will have to go through embarrassing interrogation, arrest and perhaps prison or worse: public humiliation. They are always the best to beg and have all the best excuses.
As a Grande finale I fished the package up from the waste bin and dropped it into a police evidence bag.
The blonde was sobbing; the redhead's face was redder than her hair. They had by now realised they would not get away with this.
"Do you know who we are," Sophie, the redhead, stammered and as on cue the mail popped up:
Sophie Jansson. Wife of multibillionaire owner of Jansson Enterprises.
Two previous convictions for shoplifting and several dropped for the same. A very rich bitch with nothing to do but stealing to get a little excitement in her life.
Cynthia Smith. Wife of an executive in Jansson Enterprise.
No previous convictions but almost fifty parking tickets. All paid in due time. Another rich bitch but her husband was working for Sophie's husband so most likely she was just following her lead.
"Yes Sophie, I know who you are. Do you know what kind of trouble you are in. This state does not like three time felonies. You will go to prison and do hard time. No money or lawyers will get you out of this one."
Sophie gasped for air and paled. It seemed she was slowly realising how much trouble she in.
"But, this cannot happen to me. It can't. It can't," she sobbed.
I could not help but enjoy the scene. We had caught several of these stuck-up snobs stealing but often a lawyer or husband would show up and pay the fine and they would leave smiling. This one was going to jail. Three-times-and-you-are-out rule meant that three convictions for any felony and they would throw the book at you. I had heard of people getting 30 years prison for stealing cars.
"I need to bring you both down to the station. Please come with me," I said and started to stand up.
