Which act is considered retail theft under Wisconsin law?

• A. Taking merchandise from a retail establishment without paying
• B. Borrowing merchandise from a store and returning it later
• C. Refusing to pay for services received
• D. Returning stolen goods to a retailer for a reward

Answer: (A)

Retail theft centers on taking merchandise from a store with the intention to deprive the retailer of the property, and doing so without paying the required price. This exactly matches taking merchandise from a retail establishment without paying, which satisfies both the act and the intent. Borrowing something with a plan to return it shows an intent to restore possession rather than to deprive the owner permanently, so it doesn’t meet the retail theft criterion. Refusing to pay for services is a separate offense—theft of services—rather than retail theft of merchandise. Returning stolen goods for a reward involves handling stolen property, not the act of taking goods from a retailer with the intent to steal.