Embarrassment Might Just Be The Right Punishment ~ For Some

When 18-year-old “Bert” came out the doors of the new Halloween Express store in the Rio Hill Shopping Center, he never expected to be wearing a Sesame Street character costume and holding a sign that admitted he was caught shoplifting from the store.

As funny as the Bert costume may seem, it's no laughing matter for those involved. Despite the presence of surveillance cameras at Halloween Express, the young man decided to walk up to the counter, grab a pair of fangs and walk off.

"He walked off and he's looking at merchandise. Once he got to [a corner of the store], he slipped them into his pocket and walked on around the corner," said store owner, Andrew Perry.

Police agreed to let the Perry and the teen settle the shoplifting crime by having the 18-year-old wear the Bert costume and hold the sign of guilt in shifts for a total of six hours. However, if the young man does not show up for the rest of punishment on Saturday, the store will press charges.

Perry was also gracious enough to leave the young man's identity concealed by the costume, acknowledging that a petty theft charge could ruin his life.

"It could mess up the rest of his life. You go to get a job, it shows you shoplift, no-one wants someone with a criminal background. So, I thought it be nice to get the word out and take care of it," said Perry.

Shoppers agree the deal is more than fair. While the 18-year-old getting busted and having to pay it off wearing the costume and sign is quite humorous, they say it also serves a purpose without costing the public.

“I would much rather wear a costume, than have charges against me,” said Ellen Sonifrank.

If he gets a little bit of embarrassment out of it may be he'll learn a better lesson from it,” added Misty Turner.

As the Sesame Street character stands alone out in front of the seasonal store in Albemarle County, his message to anyone else thinking about getting sticky fingers.

“Don't shoplift. It's not worth it.”

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