How is theft by shoplifting defined?

The definition of theft by shoplifting encompasses a variety of actions that relate to the unlawful appropriation of items from a retail environment without the intent to pay for them. This includes not just the act of taking items without payment, but also other behaviors that indicate an intention to steal.

Taking items without paying in a store is a straightforward definition of theft, and it captures the essence of shoplifting. However, shoplifting can also involve more nuanced behaviors like altering price tags on merchandise, which aims to deceive the retailer about the item’s value, thereby facilitating theft. Additionally, concealing merchandise to avoid detection is a critical part of the shoplifting behavior, as it demonstrates the intent to steal by hiding the items from store personnel.

Since all these actions contribute to the overall offense of theft by shoplifting, the most comprehensive and correct answer includes all of these aspects. Therefore, the correct understanding of theft by shoplifting is best encapsulated in the option that acknowledges all these defining actions.