- A judge in Michigan is sentencing shoplifters to washing cars in a Walmart parking lot.
- The “humiliating” punishment is designed to deter thefts at a store outside Flint.
- The store is such a hot spot for crime, there’s a dedicated parking spot for police.
Shoplifting is on the rise, but a judge in Michigan is fighting back with an unusual punishment. He’ll be sentencing thieves to giving free car washes in a Walmart parking lot.
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According to the Associated Press, Genesee County District Court Judge Jeffrey Clothier will sentence people to do the “Walmart wash” if they’re caught committing misdemeanor shoplifting at the Walmart in Grand Blanc Township. It’s located near Flint, which used to be commonly ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in America.
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The judge told the publication that shoplifting is a problem in his district and a township official noted the Walmart has a “designated … parking space for police because of frequent calls about thefts.”
Walmart is reportedly involved in the effort and will be providing water as well as supplies for the car washes. They’re slated to begin this spring and it’s believed that around 100 people will eventually be order to wash cars at weekend events in the coming months.
Clothier admitted the car washes will be “humiliating,” especially if shoplifters are spotted by someone they know. However, he said “there’s going to be consequences when you break the law” and he’ll reportedly help wash cars himself.
While it remains unclear if the odd punishment will work, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton is onboard as he told the publication that if it “deters one person, then there’s some success there.”
According to Capital One, only 2% of shoplifters are caught and stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023. It’s believed that around 9% of Americans have shoplifted at least once in their lives and juveniles, between the ages of 12 and 16, are the most likely to shoplift.
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