As our economy continues to tank, so another alarming trend seems to rise. Consumers, parents readily included among them, are resorting to shoplifting. Recently a man in Massachusetts was apprehended with his daughter attempting to steal shrimp and baby formula.

No longer is it a case of the simple thrill of the five-fingered discount. Experts weighing in say what we all know to be true too well: salaries aren't rising at the same rate as inflation. This, in turn, leads to temptation. What's being stolen has changed, too. More often, regular grocery items are being pilfered.

According to the National Retail Federation, among the 116 retail stores surveyed, 74% felt the incidents of shoplifting had increased from 2006. Retail theft is responsible for $4.5 billion per year, which means increased prices for non-shoplifting customers in the future. When you have a family to care for and feed, I can see how tempting it might be to swipe an extra can of ravioli. if you're caught, though, are the penalties worth the risk?

Pic by haledavid1@msn.