CALCUTTA - Stealing is an age old problem, but for Calcutta businesses shoplifting hasn't been a major problem until this year. Since January, at least one shoplifting case was reported each month. According to the St. Clair Police Department monthly activity report, a total of 18 shoplifting cases have been reported as of Nov. 30.

Four shoplifting cases have already been reported as of Dec. 16 - more than any other month this year.

St. Clair Police Chief Don Hyatt warned township trustees at the Dec. 8 regular meeting, crime would be on the rise for the month of December due to the holiday shopping season. Since that warning, several shoplifters have been arrested in Calcutta.

On Dec. 4, two shoplifters were reported at K-mart. One was arrested and one got away. On Dec. 12, two shoplifters were arrested at K-mart. They had attempted to steal items from the store by placing them in a backpack. Dec. 13, shoplifting was reported at K-mart, but the unidentified individuals fled the scene and were not arrested.

Yesterday Shane Bosworth, 32, of Portage, Pa., was arrested at 1:23 p.m. at K-mart for shoplifting. Just under 30 minutes later, at least two people attempted to shoplift at Wal-Mart. According to the police department, at least two individuals were involved and one of them was a white male wearing a black coat and a Steelers toboggan. Unfortunately, the department was unable to make an arrest because the individuals had fled the scene.

Hyatt said the economy is effecting the crime rate and that shoplifting has been on the rise in the area for the past year. "These are more desperate times, obviously. We are actually seeing shoplifting situations almost on a daily basis now. (Yesterday was) a prime example," he said.

Hyatt said the department has stepped up patrols in the business district to crack down on crime, but due to the large residential population needing to be patrolled as well it can be difficult to address each situation. "With limited manpower we are doing the very best that we can," he said.

But even with limited manpower the department has a "pretty good" success rate with shoplifters, Hyatt said. "As with any police department, people commit crimes and a percentage of them get away with it."

Hyatt said the shoplifting cases yesterday were not related.

Other things on the rise this month include burglaries (10 reported cases as of Nov. 30) and theft (230 reported cases as of Nov. 30). Hyatt previously stated at the last township meeting that the public should use common sense when it comes to dealing with strangers and protecting their personal items. The department is currently investigating a rash of burglaries that began over the summer.

Another warning Hyatt issued was in reference to people standing along the roadway holding "Will Work for Food" or any other kind of sign asking for a hand-out. Most recently people have been standing down by the entrance to the Wal-Mart shopping center parking lot intersection just off of state Route 11.

"People have to be wary about giving those kinds of people money. A lot of them are nothing more than a scam," he said. One man was arrested Sunday for holding such a sign on Challenger Drive, and it was discovered he had an oustanding warrant out for his arrest. He was also carrying a wad of cash.