Shoplifting could rise during weaker economy

As a downtown business owner for four years, Emily Giebel thought she'd seen it all.

That month, shoplifters stole $4,000 worth of merchandise from Sitting Pretty, her upscale clothing boutique on Maryland Avenue in Annapolis.

There was the girl who snatched a purse, the woman who grabbed a purse and a dress, and then the "pros" who nabbed a full-length coat and hit Alpaca International on Main Street within the same 45-minute period, Ms. Giebel said. And just last month, her store was targeted again.

"I truly believe that this has something to do with the...