Recession-Survival Tips From a Shoplifter How one broke New Yorker eats like a king by stuffing gourmet vittles into his pants

By  ELIZABETH BOUGEROL

Updated 6:24 PM EDT, Tue, Jan 13, 2009

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One skint New Yorker has shoplifted close to $30,000 of gourmet groceries from markets like Whole Foods.

 

Is that an expensive sausage in your pants, or are you just happy to see us?

If the recession has you concerned that you may have to dial down your imported cheese habit or switch (God forbid) to second-press olive oil, Gothamist has your salvation in the form of an interview with one of New York's most seasoned gourmet shoplifters. The man (well, we think it's a man) we'll call Shoplifter X agreed to share his technique on condition of anonymity, and we have to say, this guy is a pro (he could give Winona some tips) and eats way, way better than we do. It's all kind of awe-inspiring. Some highlights:

  • Shoplifter X's first take was "a really expensive sausage that I put under my pants."
  • Today, he racks up about $100 of five-finger discounts in a week.
  • His regular beat includes Whole Foods, whose "infrastructure" and "blind spots" he has down cold.
  • He's been shoplifting for six or seven years without getting caught -- which is about $30,000 of tasty treats overall.
  • His biggest single haul included three pounds of wild tuna and a bottle of the "best quality Italian olive oil."
  • Biggest mistakes you can make include not getting to know a store's camera system, rushing, and hitting grocery stores close to where you live.

Read the full interview here.

Copyright NBC Local Media / NBC New York

Comments (2)

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  • SEXYVIEWX2 Tuesday, Jan 13 at 1:23 PM FLAG COMMENT Nice! Any articles on how to kill someone. It's recession time! Any way I can make money, Just post the article and I will follow your advice.You guys are great, helping a poor fellow out. Thanks! I will start shoplifting today. Great idea. Too bad you didn't post this before the holidays.
  • broke person too Tuesday, Jan 13 at 11:39 AM FLAG COMMENT PUTZ. I pay for everything and you just take it your are a commn theif and should be locked up!

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