eh, in some places, "concealing items" is illegal, even if you intended to pay. I believe that's the case in florida. If you hide items, that in itself is an illegal act. I recommend not doing this.

Pretty sure that's how it is in Sweden too, though I'm not sure if grocery stores have a right to ban you like that. I have a tendency to put stuff in my pocket if I forget to take a basket.

This is how it works in Finland at least.

I know that for certain.

One could technically argue you've attempted to steal them by stuffing them in your pockets, but apparently that would never work.

Still though, it's not as if the cops and guards are aware of that. Just today I had a guard hassle me, asking me what the can is in my pocket, in a store I went to a few hours ago. We went just a few min before it closed, but we never even went near the drinks section. The guard was just a babyfaced young guard who wanted to somehow try his authority. I had better things to do so I said nothing and showed the can, as it was a cold beer can, and they don't stock that beer, or even if they do, they don't chill any of their beer cans. I knew I could've legally refused from showing him, but eh, couldn't really be arsed, as it would've taken so much of everyone's time and no-one would've got why I would even do something like that. (Finns don't understand the risk of authoritarianism)

it's more of a funny prank to think about and then not bother doing because there's nothing to gain.

they can ask you to just leave and ban you from the store

that's plenty to gain right there.

I don't think this is a very common occurrence. Depending on the state it might not even be a crime (mine says the value has to be over $50 before cops get involved).

What probably happened was the cops told the husband to meet them at the station and gave her a warning.

I was caught stealing a graphing calculator from Walmart when I was a teen, and all that happened was the L&P guy asked if I was with a parent, then called her to the office and said I had an upset stomach.

But we don't know what race the woman is, so that probably is a factor.

At that point they're not even licking the boot. The boot was telling them to chill.

Because it's easier to give her a ride to the station and give her a warning than to deal with angry employees.

I'd be shocked if she was actually charged with anything because the DA would know that even a public defender could get her off.

i think you misunderstand the purpose of police

I'm guessing that the L&P staff are acting as legal proxies, and therefore can press charges