12月23日纽约《合众社》报——随着美国经济萎靡，店铺顺手牵羊案件恶化。零售部门安全专家声称：美国逮捕比例从上年10%猛增一倍到今年20%。实际案发率可能更高，因为很多被发现的扒手并没有被逮捕而是被赶出店铺。这是纽约时报周二报道。

　　Shoplifting has worsened as the economy has faltered, with U.S. arrests increasing 10 to 20 percent this year over last, retail security experts say.

　　The actual amount of shoplifting is probably higher than the numbers indicate since many who are caught are banned from stores rather than arrested, The New York Times (NYSE:NYT) reported Tuesday.

　　商人们告诉记者说扒手无所不拿，从光盘到贺卡到设计师签名的服装。大部分是初犯者，不少是一时冲动行为。警察说，在网上销赃比较容易也刺激的盗窃。

　　Merchants told the newspaper that shoplifters are taking everything from compact discs and baby formula to gift cards and designer clothing. First-time offenders are making up a large portion of the increase, making rash decisions in a pinch, but easier disposal of stolen goods over the Internet has also spurred thefts, police say.

　　零售业领导协会财产安全事务副主席保罗琼斯接受纽约时报采访是说：很多人对经济是绝望的，零售业务人手不足，警察裁员，而且扒窃不再作为首要重视案件。

　　"More people are desperate economically, retailers are operating with leaner staffs and police forces are cutting back or being told to deprioritize shoplifting calls," Paul Jones, the vice president of asset protection for the Retail Industry Leaders Association, told the Times.