WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	"Booster bags" helping thieves rip-off stores (Farmington-WTNH) _ Thieves at local malls are foiling high-tech security systems at malls in Connecticut and across the country with the help of doctored shopping bags. The so-called 'booster bags' are enabling thieves to steal millions of dollars worth of merchandise right under the clerks' nose. And they're made from products you can find in your own home. News Channel 8's Christina DeFranco reports. Officer Paul Krupinski calls them booster bags, and the ones he's confiscated at WestFarms Mall come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Officer Paul Krupinski, Farmington Police Dept.: "You open it up, it's aluminum tape. They're very easily made. Made with common household products." Aluminum foil and duct tape. But they've managed to outsmart high-tech security systems used in most stores. Security tags are attached to higher priced clothing. The systems are designed to go off if someone steals merchandise from the store. Officer Krupinski: "Throw the merchandise in here. The liner prevents alarm system from activating." They cost this store about $2,500 this past weekend. Nayra Byron, "Arden B.": "A group of 13 girls walk in store ... took about 25 items in bags. Sensor didn't go on." In the past year, Officer Krupinski estimates $25,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from WestFarms using the bags. He wants to outlaw them and is the driving force behind legislation that has already passed the house. Krupinski: "It's also gonna make it a lot easier for retail merchants. They're not going to have such a significant loss of profit." The bill is now awaiting action in the Senate. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

"Booster bags" helping thieves rip-off stores
(Farmington-WTNH) _ Thieves at local malls are foiling high-tech security systems at malls in Connecticut and across the country with the help of doctored shopping bags. The so-called 'booster bags' are enabling thieves to steal millions of dollars worth of merchandise right under the clerks' nose. And they're made from products you can find in your own home.
News Channel 8's Christina DeFranco reports.

Officer Paul Krupinski calls them booster bags, and the ones he's confiscated at WestFarms Mall come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

Officer Paul Krupinski, Farmington Police Dept.: "You open it up, it's aluminum tape.
They're very easily made. Made with common household products."

Aluminum foil and duct tape. But they've managed to outsmart high-tech security systems used in most stores. Security tags are attached to higher priced clothing. The systems are designed to go off if someone steals merchandise from the store.

Officer Krupinski: "Throw the merchandise in here. The liner prevents alarm system from activating."

They cost this store about $2,500 this past weekend.

Nayra Byron, "Arden B.": "A group of 13 girls walk in store ... took about 25 items in bags. Sensor didn't go on."

In the past year, Officer Krupinski estimates $25,000 worth of merchandise was stolen from WestFarms using the bags. He wants to outlaw them and is the driving force behind legislation that has already passed the house.

Krupinski: "It's also gonna make it a lot easier for retail merchants. They're not going to have such a significant loss of profit."

The bill is now awaiting action in the Senate.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.