SHOPLIFTING IS COMMITTED BY ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE; A WASHINGTON, D.C., STUDY SHOWS THAT THE PRIMARY SHOPLIFTERS APPREHENDED ARE TEENAGERS (45 PERCENT) AND HOUSEWIVES (25 PERCENT). COLLEGE STUDENTS CONSTITUTE 10 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL, WITH THE REMAINING 20 PERCENT CONSISTING OF SCHOOLCHILDREN, RETIRED PERSONS, PROFESSIONAL SHOPLIFTERS, AND LABORERS. TEENAGERS STEAL BECAUSE OF PEER PRESSURE, AND ADULTS COMMIT THEFT OUT OF A DEEP-SEATED, IRRATIONAL NEED TO BE PUNISHED. TO SUCCESSFULLY APPREHEND SHOPLIFTERS, SECURITY PERSONNEL OR RETAILERS MUST (1) ENSURE THAT SHOPLIFTERS HAVE THE ARTICLES IN THEIR POSSESSION, THAT THE MERCHANDISE BELONGS TO THE STORE, AND THAT IT IS OFFERED FOR SALE; AND (2) PROVE THAT SHOPLIFTERS INTENDED TO CONVERT THE MERCHANDISE TO THEIR OWN USE OR TO DEPRIVE THE RIGHTFUL OWNER OF IT. A FICTIONAL ACCOUNT OF A TYPICAL SHOPLIFTING APPREHENSION ILLUSTRATES ACTION TAKEN BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THEFT CASES. THE DUTIES OF SUCH SECURITY PERSONNEL AS UNIFORMED AND ARMED GUARDS AND PLAINCLOTHES DETECTIVES ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF 1 HOUR'S ACTIVITIES IN THE OFFICE OF A SECURITY SUPERVISOR IN A NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT STORE. DISCUSSIONS OF PROTECTIVE DEVICES AGAINST SHOPLIFTING INCLUDE GLASS CASES THAT LOCK, NOISE ALARMS AT LOCKED EXITS, CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION, DOUBLE PRICETAG SYSTEMS, AND ELECTRONIC DETECTION SYSTEMS. FINALLY, THE COMMUNITY CAN MOUNT A CAMPAIGN AGAINST SHOPLIFTING USING ANTISHOPLIFTING FILMS, PAMPHLETS, AND ADVERTISING SPOTS ON RADIO AND TELEVISION. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND INDEX ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)