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How To Stay Safe During Your Holiday Shopping

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Surveillance video from an Apple Store in California shows a group of brazen burglars scooping up pricey merchandise off of the shop's front tables.

The company's red shirted employees are seen doing nothing but guiding the customers inside to safety.

According to security expert Manny Gomez, it's a common store policy for employees to not directly engage thieves.

"Most retail stores have security personnel that are told to not put hands on people because of liability issues," he said, adding that most are now trained to not be aggressive against small-time thefts.

Gomez says that Apple does have trained security experts in plain clothes that can chase thieves outside the store, but won't take the risk inside a store with customers around.

An Apple spokesperson said they do not dispute Gomez's claim, but the company does not comment on matters of security.

Just last month, two thieves engaged in a smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store on the Upper East Side. CBS2 reported that the thieves ran off with $300,000 in watches.

In a heist at a Family Dollar store in Brooklyn last month, an employee tried to fight eight robbers off. He was ultimately overpowered and beaten over the head with red crates.

Peter Mareno is a retired NYPD captain and makes a living providing security services and guards to retail stores.

"I admire that person's work ethic but as you saw, they put themselves in harm's way to protect some tangible items, I think a life is more valuable," he said.

As CBS2's Emily Smith reports, experts say in any instance where you're shopping and a thief comes in, it's important to not make eye contact and comply with their demands.

Additionally, experts say to try and shelter yourself behind a wall or curtain so you aren't directly engaged in the action.

 

 

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