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Shoplifting Prank Game: Urban Sprinting watch!

youtube.com — Taken from the great British show called Balls of Steel... a guy takes just a security tag, runs out from the shop and gets chased by the security guard. The game stops when you reach a burger bar.

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  • Ganpachi, on 10/12/2007, -4/+79I wanna see a parcour expert do this!
    • omgitscolin, on 10/12/2007, -8/+51Hell yeah! What a great idea. Anyone know if there are any actual consequences for stealing JUST a security tag?
    • Locke40, on 10/12/2007, -37/+15@ omgitscolin:
      hmm let me think about that question... of course there are consequences! anyone know if there are actual consequences for pretending to have a gun under my coat, and running like a madman through crowded areas!? think about it man, think aobut it...
    • garreh, on 10/12/2007, -31/+16@Locke40 - I'm not so sure. I mean you could just say you hadn't a clue how the security tag got into your pocket... and the reason why you ran was because you was being chased for no reason and got scared... I mean it's like those people who get chased by the police and run off cos they get scared. Ain't done nothing wrong.
    • noahhoward, on 10/12/2007, -1/+54@garreh

      ... those people generally get arrested.
    • neoform, on 10/12/2007, -2/+67Isn't it still stealing? I mean... those security tags technically belong to the store..

      I'd find it more fun if the guy brings his own tag that sets off the alarms..
    • Diggtatorship, on 10/12/2007, -0/+31Thats what I was thinking, BYOT
    • volatileacid, on 10/12/2007, -4/+21Do you mean parkour?
    • JHawk24821, on 10/12/2007, -5/+49@ garreh

      In this day and age, "Ain't done nothing wrong" doesn't mean not guilty. All the fascists... I mean police need now is to say they that they _think_ you might have stolen something, and you are charged as though you did. There is a story on digg now (upcoming story) about a guy that was put in jail for 12 hours because he had a rubber band ball in his backpack when he tried to board an airplane. It went from a "what's this?" to "this is what we think it is!" to "are you on drugs?" to "you are on drugs" - and that was it. He had no defense against it, and neither does anyone else.

      We are only as free as we demand to be, and thanks to our government's fear mongering, we (a general statement, not aimed at you) demand less and less of it. The public has a track record of needlessly exchanging their rights and liberties for "protection" from drummed-up "threats". Yes, terrorism is real - but it's also a statistical long shot. You have a better chance of getting killed by a car crash, cigarettes, gang violence, drugs, etc. than you do by a terrorist act - but you don;t see the media focusing on those topics.

      I am ranting, I know, but it's a sad state that we live in and I for one and sick of it.
    • pumacub, on 10/12/2007, -1/+22Would it be illegal if you brought your own tag...?

      Actually, any number of things can set those off.
    • TenebrousX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11if you brought you own it would set off the alarm as you enter the store
    • sockpuppets, on 10/12/2007, -0/+30"if you brought you own it would set off the alarm as you enter the store."

      Wrap it in aluminum foil first.
    • blahblah, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15The guy brought his own security tag, if I understood correctly. In America, I can see half of the security guards thinking you are a terrorist and you might get in trouble with the police if that happens.
    • akcoder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+20@sockpuppets: No need to wrap it in foil, just hold it tightly in your hand.

      I worked at a dept store about 10 years ago when they rolled out the EAS system. One of my many jobs was to re-tag returns with the sensormatic tags. I decided to see how well they really work.

      To make a long story short, I took a tag, held it tightly in my hand and waved it at varying distances in front of the sensor. In the end, a tightly held tag has to be held about 2 inches from the sensor to set off the alarm.
    • TheWorm, on 10/12/2007, -36/+12Poll: Digg me up if you've ever shoplifted, digg me down if you haven't.
    • zybch, on 10/12/2007, -9/+3Pity about that annoyingly smug host of the TV show.
      Hell, I'd prefer watching that smug prick in the mac ads than this wanker!!
    • IcerC, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2I would just bring my own tag to the shops;)
    • ToeCheese, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I just see the prankster suing because the mall cop used excessive force to take him down and after finding out it was a prank, take a few shots for making them run.
    • rlamoni, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7To avoid stealing anything, you would have to bring your own tag. This is because if you could easily separate the tags from the merchandise, in the store, then they wouldn’t really be very effective at their intended purpose.
    • bobothn, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1good thing this was in uk not usa our security guards have guns and there is the posibility of one dead show host.
    • Otto, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5The tag is in his hat. When he walks in, it's above the security alarm and doesn't set it off. When he walks out, he has his hat down low and it sets off the alarm system.

      I've seen people steal small items out of stores this way. They just toss it in the air as they walk out, catch it on the other side. Alarm never goes off.
    • edzieba, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Even better, bring a library book (if you do this in the UK at least, not sure of the case in the US). The RFID tags in the spine set off the detectors just as well as tags in the store do.
    • spliffy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4actually i was arrested as a kid for for shoplifting a CD without actually stealing it. i was ONLY SUSPECTED of removing one of those tags. Though i had neither the security tag or the CD on my person when leaving the store a manager grabbed me and called the police.

      At the time, I didn't know my rights, i just took orders from adults. so, i was charged with shoplifting.

      $800 fine. AND it was also christmas time.... so my whole family, extened included came to get me from the police station. Only my liberal aunt sided with me. It was not a fun christmas.

      The only way to do this in America i staged.
    • garreh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@neoform no he didn't steal any tags from the store. He took his own tag into the store, and therefore stole nothing.
  • garreh, on 10/12/2007, -18/+134oops forgot to click reply. digg down. =)
    • neoform, on 10/12/2007, -57/+4This just proves how stupid the moderation is on this site.

      Mods will always do the oposite of what the commenter says just because of this childish rebellion. His comment is crap, yet here it sits with +26. Bravo.
    • NumberFour, on 10/12/2007, -40/+3uhh he asked everyone to digg him down, not because its a bad comment, but because he has nothing to say, so of course, everyone diggs him up? Wtf?
    • snlildude87, on 10/12/2007, -32/+6i love how you're the highest dugg comment in the story so far. well done, sir.
    • Cglass, on 10/12/2007, -50/+10O O digg me down too wheeeeeeee
    • Flashman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12neoform: just not getting it
    • mapkinase, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1cglass did not get it either :-)
    • mapkinase, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Let's play a game. In the end of the comment put your expectation whether you would be dugg down by particular crowd reading this article, or up.

      Expect dugg down ('cause it's silly)
  • carapi, on 10/12/2007, -101/+8It'd be HYSTERICAL if either the runner or the security guard was hit and killed by a car.

    The show would get sued BIG time...and they would lose.

    But it is nice to see it is not just American TV that has lost touch with actual COMEDY, and thinks that embarrassing people is funny.

    Gotta love the people whose lives are so horrible that they can only be cheered up by seeing other people in worse situations, if only for a brief moment.
    • FreakTrap, on 10/12/2007, -10/+82***** off...
    • shinynew, on 10/12/2007, -29/+6you sir, have the funniest comment so far.
    • obezyana, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8…how does this embarrass anyone?

      The guy doing the running is obviously not embarrassed.
      The guard doing the chasing has no reason to be embarrassed - he'd just doing his job.

      Unless you're arguing that the guard may be embarrassed for being tricked into chasing someone who hadn't stolen anything, and if someone is *embarrassed* for being tricked by someone who set off an alarm with a tag specially designed to do so, they should probably get a job that doesn't involve catching pickpockets.
  • AngryOx, on 10/12/2007, -3/+34We use to drop them on the floor sticky side up so people would get them on their shoes and cart then set off the alarm. Oh good fun to be had.
    • KillaGoat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15I used to place condoms in the shopping carts of the elderly.

      It's great when they get to check out and realize what's going on
    • CaffeineAddict, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I use to do the same thing with the security tags ... but would put it on a business card and throw that in a bag or a pocket of some unsuspecting victim.
  • Bluth, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15But embarrassing people is funny - especially when they're fat security guards.
    • Bluth, on 10/12/2007, -11/+4wrong reply Science damn it. comment was for you crap i.
  • wilf_brim, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Pretty funny. This works best in stores with lots of expensive, high end merchandise, like designer leather jackets and the like. The whole thing seems like something out of a Kevin Smith movie..
  • MarkCiccone, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I work at Abercrombie, and we're not even allowed to chase people who have taken merchandise. It would get us fired. Most secuirty guards ignore the alarm as security tags from other stores will set it off. This really wouldn't work, at least in my mall.
    • MiDri, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23noted my friend, expect a visit! Hey every one! Free 300$ sweaters!
    • JHawk24821, on 10/12/2007, -5/+34I wouldn't wear that crap if it where free.
    • loveandrockets, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14The last time a tag was left on some clothes I bought, I left the store thinking someone else set off the alarm. Then a couple blocks later I looked in my stuff and went back to the store and stood in line at the customer service section because I couldn't get the damned thing off myself.
    • kd1s, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7That's because in the United States, you actually have to see the person take the merchandise. Funny little flaw in U.S. and state statutes I suppose.

      So if you're bold enough, just walk calmly away. Most employees ignore it.

      I know the bi-metal security card I have in my wallet sets those things off constantly. Hey it's my access card for government building. Can I help it that your EAS system is a piece of *****?
    • Bootes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5I see these security alarms go off all the time, no one responds. They just stops ringing after like 30 seconds.
    • KillaVanilla, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Mind telling us which mall that is?
  • pumacub, on 10/12/2007, -0/+23I don't think I've ever seen a security guard chase someone like that.

    If you walk out of a Wal-mart and the alarm goes off and just keep walking, the old people at the door don't do crap.
    • Neoanarchist, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1***** a man are you kidding me? Try it, I did and got caught lmfao. The ***** RFID alarms didn't even go off, they caught my friends on camera and watched them walk to me. Still got caught though, the old people arn't loss prevention. Loss prevention workers are dressed just like you or me and blend in quite well.

      On a side note however, I did steal successfully from walmart on many occasions before that ;)
    • Cglass, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8rofl I thought they were only old at my Wal-Mart
    • Phyltre, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5What's creepy is I think I've seen the same old people at every Wal-Mart I've gone to for the past ten years. One old balding wrinkly guy, one dried-up corpselike granny, and one squat old lady with the looks and demeanor of a sour ex-marine prize-grappler.
    • royalgeorge, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1No I recently saw a guy being chased by a young blooded security guard, but he got away as he had a car ready to take him off.
  • legendofxix, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4This is hillarious.
    Even if your caught they can't really press any charges. You did nothing wrong. You didn't take anything and their store cameras would prove that.
    If they try to slap some false charges on you, get a laywer then sue for punitive damages.

    I should try this one time, just to see what kind of reaction I'd get. I know some fatass security guards at my local mall.
    • TenebrousX, on 10/12/2007, -4/+9you technically stole their security tags
    • MasterChi, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5Its called resisting arrest, and evading a police officer and I believe those are actual crimes and you will atleast get a hefty fine. I know for a fact though that you can't run away when a cop wants to ask you a question, atleast not in USA.
    • Woofcat, on 10/12/2007, -2/+15They arn't police, they are citizens just like you and me. If i chased after you and you ran, would it be a crime? no.

      Now if there were police there, you best stop.
    • hobbers, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2@MasterChi

      These are security guards, not cops. If a security guard tried to detain me, I'd tell 'em to flip off. If a cop tried to detain me it's "yes sir". Security guards are there to call the cops, they aren't the cops.
    • JeffD, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@TenebrousX

      no, you brought the tag to the store with you
  • majoogybobber, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1I suppose a totally clean way to do it would be to brush an item past the scanner but then put it back or drop it quickly, and then run like hell. But certainly there are consequences-- you're still using the time and attention of security guards for no good reason.
    • alec1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8thats completely illogical. its not like they are police officers. i mean, they are paid by the store, not the public. couldnt you just as easily -- actually, more easily -- make the argument that the security guards are wasting your time? at least they are on the clock.
    • kodek, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1If you drop the item, they would most likely think that you WERE stealing it, and you'd be screwed. Putting it back, maybe, if you have time...
  • 13badluck13, on 10/12/2007, -12/+2I've been doing that for years, ***** Brits.
  • ReadMeTXT, on 10/12/2007, -15/+1How does the alarm start? I don't see him taking anything
    • TenebrousX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4he takes the anti-theft tags
    • ReadMeTXT, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1That tears the cloth..
    • anymir, on 10/12/2007, -0/+26Did any of you actually watch the video? He doesn't take the anti-theft tag, he has one of his own. From the video: "All you need is your own security tag..."
  • DougO, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9The guy actually says at the start that you take your OWN security tag. He is hard to understand with his accent, but check it out. No harm, no foul in my book.
    • ReadMeTXT, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5But when he enters the store, why doesn't the alarm start
    • DougO, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1@ReadMeTXT:

      Thats a damn fine question Sir! Is the whole think a setup then, I wonder?
    • fohat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4The person above claims if you wrap the tag in tin foil the alarm wont go off. Dont know how true that is tho...
    • Neoanarchist, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3You can wrap the tags in aluminum foil. They are RFID and when the signal is interrupted between the two towers (by the RFID Security Tag) it modifies the signal and when that modified signal is received by the opposite tower it emits the sound.

      RFID is not hard to block.

      However the ones like were pictured in the clip are regularly ink cartridges that have no effect on the RFID scanners.
    • sn4keeyez, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7he puts the tag in his hat and walks in the store. the hat and the tag are above the sensor, thus it doesn't go off. when he walks out with the tag at the lower height (in his hand), the sensor goes off.
    • kagelump, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0RFID?
      they don't use anything that elaborate last time i checked =P

      but yeah, tin foil probably works
    • Otto, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2No need for tin foil. sn4keeyez is absolutely correct, the sensors don't sense the air above them. If it's in his hat when he walks in, it won't set it off. Notice him keeping his hat low when he exits the store? The tag is in there.
    • mapkinase, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@sn4keeyez

      That brings the whole new meaning to the expression "tin foil hat".
  • dziban303, on 10/12/2007, -7/+12Burger bar?
    • MiDri, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7British... I would guess it means a place to get a burger and perhaps a pint?
    • thomasprebble, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Burger bar, Graease bar...It's just a name for McDonalds and BK dude.
    • seventoes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Spiked burgers. Mmmmm.
  • loquedesea, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Why is the soundtrack for the clip they show the theme from Wild Arms...?!?!
    • gekkotron, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3It's also used in Raising Arizona, IIRC.
    • tokyopimp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1You mean the soundtrack is a Spaghetti Western type soundtrack? Wild Arms has a wonderful soundtrack but it's not present in this clip, it's just that you don't realize that Wild Arms Soundtrack was inspired by movies like The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. A Spaghetti Western... if you don't know what a Spaghetti Western is, then go to wikipedia.
  • Qtip42, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6That was so ***** funny I couldn't stop laughing.
  • RedViper1999, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1If you ever tried this at Sears you would be in a lot of trouble. At least if you tried to remove them without thinking. They are all ink tags so they explode if you take them off destroying the clothing and marking you. Most people think they are electronic tags but they aren't.
  • awa1ct, on 10/12/2007, -6/+6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balls_of_Steel_%28TV%29

    Neg: plays 'urban sports', such as running from security guards or jumping onto the backs of unsuspecting passers-by. This is the most controversial act of them all. If this game were not staged, it would be clear case of criminal assault.

    Its fake, boys.
    • voidofmind, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5anybody can edit a wiki.

      "i read it on the internet so it has to be true."
    • JeffD, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Not to mention that the staged part is talking about jumping on people back.
  • LavaHot, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2***** bored brits, I can't believe they would incur the wrath of law enforcement just to get their jollies. One thing though, is it just me, or do the security guards look fake, at least in the last two clips?
  • paulwilde, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1Obviously it's fake. Two seconds before he's at the "Burger bar" you see the security guards, then when he gets there they're gone.
    • JonRick, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Obviously it's edited together, do you know how ***** boring it would be to see uncut video? This isn't a ***** magic trick. Everything in the world isn't fake.
    • joeydoo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Fat people don't run for fake.
      Also if Balls of Steel didn't "fake it" when they got into trouble for squirting Tom Cruise in the face at a premier, I hardly think messing with a security guard from a crappy shop is beyond them.
  • linuxwarz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Just a quick note, something such as a fridge magnet can set off some systems
    • rnelsonee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3A magnet can also remove a lot of security tags - although fridge magnets aren't often strong enough. But tags are either affixed with a specialized lock which require an odd-shaped 'key' to get it off, or they just have a metal bar preventing a latch from opening. Not to mention most security tags for non-clothing items like electronics, which really are just magnets. So if you see a device with a magnet it on it, pull out your favorite strong magnet (like Neodymium rare-earth ones, available online), swipe it across the tag, and you're all set.
  • pheedback, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Sucks that there is no similar set up to this near me id love to try it, but our burger bars are all in stand alone buildings not in some major shopping emporium
  • banjokazooie, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I am so doing this with my friends
  • uzik, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1This is one of the stupidest things I've seen in a long time.
    They will charge you with shoplifting and the judge will find you guilty.
    It will appear to them that you stole something and ditched it in the chase to avoid
    being charged. Even if you prove you never took anything (you did take the
    tag, so technically it is theft) they will find you guilty anyway for causing
    a lot of trouble for people who are just doing their jobs. If you jokers
    have this much spare time why don't you find something USEFUL to do with it.
    • garreh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2It's made for a TV show to get laughs. It's people like you that make the world a too serious place, and take the fun out of everything. Lighten up mate.
  • dwize, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1man this is tight, Finlay when i steal something i can be like o i was just playing the game you fool. Great story old bean.
  • kickarse, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Thats hilarious! Think I'm going to have some fun later :)
  • EvilFerret, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I usually don't like this type of humor, especially when they throw in the generic audience laughter in the background. However, using the Raising Arizona song when running was an awsome move...so I have to digg it :)

    On a side note, who the hell trained those security guards? I've worked as loss prevention for a few stores....and would have NEVER chased someone like that. Places like The Jones Store for example didn't want you to chase anyone unless they were suspected of stealing over $100 worth of merchandise. If they stole less, you can try to stop them at the door...but if they run you have to let them go. Chasing someone that just sets off the door is a good way to get yourself shot.
  • Jadey, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3For some time, I've been wanting to do a fake dine & dash. I'll go to a restaurant where you pay at the table. Leave my money, but then RUN out of the restaurant like I haven't. I wanna see if there'd be any reaction. Yes, I'm a prank whore :(
  • oatilo, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1nice find
    http://ARTHRITISINTHEKNEESHOP.INFO
    http://ARTHRITISDIETSHOP.INFO
    http://ARTHRITISPRODUCTSHOP.INFO
  •  

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