Make sure it was actually observed by someone, wait untill they pass out of the store property, approach without conflict or bodily contact and bring back to the store to question and recover merchandise. The company has a slogan for loss prevention they want followed by all employees called ascop. Its as follows: A: Approach (watch customer approach merchandise S: Select (Watch customer select merchandise for the takeing) C: Conceal (watch customer conceal it) O: Observe (simply that) P: Pass (wait untill the customer passes gate)