17 liar to and designed for shielding and intended to shield merchandise from 18 detection by an electronic or magnetic theft alarm sensor, with the intent to 19 commit theft. A person commits unlawful possession of a theft detection device 21 remover when he knowingly possesses any tool or device designed to allow the 22 removal of any theft detection device from any merchandise without the permis- 23 sion of the merchant or person owning or holding the merchandise. A person commits the offense of unlawful removal of a theft detection 25 device when he intentionally removes the device from a product prior to pur- 26 chase. A person who commits unlawful use of a theft detection shielding 28 device, unlawful possession of a theft detection shielding device, unlawful 29 possession of a theft detection device remover or unlawful removal of a theft 30 detection device shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for a first offense of a 31 violation of the provisions of this section. 38 years or both.
Persons involved in retail theft often use sophisticated tools for their illegal activity.
Such tools include metal or foil-lined shopping bags that shield stolen merchandise from theft detection devices, and tools for removing security sensors and tags affixed to merchandise. These types of fraud are growing in frequency and sophistication. This bill deals with the use of theft detection shielding devices, and theft detection device removers. The bill would create a new section and penalties for the manufacture, possession, distribution or sale of a theft detection shielding device or theft detection device remover.