SHOPLIFTING ON RISE AS BUSINESSES GROW IN SCV.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Daily News Staff Writer

They strike in teams or alone, but they have the same objective - to quickly get out of the store before they are detected with stolen merchandise.

An increase in shoplifting in the Santa Clarita Valley may by the result of an increase in the number of businesses in the area, said Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Tim Peters.

According to an FBI report, Santa Clarita's instances of theft increased from 1,372 in 1997 to 1,463 in 1998, one of few crimes in the area that went up. The bulk of the crimes are committed by people under 18, with the most common age group being 15-year-olds, Peters said.

They do it in part for the thrill and because they don't fear any consequences, Peters said.

``We've been told (by shoplifters), We knew nothing will happen to us,'' Peters said.

But in fact, teen-age shoplifters may either be sent to a teen court in which they are judged by their peers, traffic court on their second offense or juvenile court if the shoplifting is a third offense, Peters said.

Employees at stores at the Valencia Town Center said many shoplifters will steal in teams so one or more can act as as diversion to lure the salespeople away.

``They come in in large groups and they are very loud in order to create a distraction,'' said Charlaine Gordon, assistant manager at Casual Corner, a women's clothing store.

Salespeople are also watchful for people pushing baby strollers in their store, as they may slip something inside. Shoplifters assume that no salesperson would check for stolen items among the blankets wrapped around a baby, said a salesperson at a clothing store in the mall.

Jenni Storli, manager at Diane's, a swimwear store at the shopping center, said she has noticed the increase in shoplifting, especially among teens.

``It's definitely a younger crowd now, and kids in pairs,'' she said.

Because the shoplifters appear to have the money to pay for merchandise, Storli speculated that they steal to show off to their peers without thinking about the consequences.

``What they don't understand is that we will prosecute,'' she said.

A salesperson at Champs Sportswear, who did not want to be identified, said thefts have been very high at the company's stores, with the hottest items ranging from jerseys to jackets.

Shoplifters may cut out sensors or bring in bags lined with duct tape to block the sensors from sounding when they walk out of the store, salespeople said.

Some shoppers will take clothes off the hangers, throw the hangers over the dressing room door and hide the price tag inside the mirror, Storli said.

The key to prevention is good customer service, she said.

If customers know that they are going to be watched throughout their shopping experience, they will probably be less likely to steal, she said.