MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Recently the Marine Corps Exchange instituted a program in an effort to protect exchange assets.
The MCX has started a Civil Recovery Program to charge customers caught shoplifting for actual and administrative costs associated with shoplifting, theft detection, and theft prevention.
"If someone is caught stealing anything from the MCX or the 7 Day Store, they are obligated to pay $200 plus any additional costs necessary," said Master Sgt. Lloyd West, MCX retail chief. "If they don't pay, their sponsor or parent will be held responsible to pay the money."
The Civil Recovery Program was authorized by Congress and established under the authority of The Federal Claims Collection Act of 1996. The Civil Recovery Program is separate from any criminal prosecution, and a criminal conviction or a plea of guilty is not necessary to pursue civil recovery.
"If you get caught stealing from the MCX, you must not only pay $200," said West, "but also the dividend of the amount of damage subtracted from the original price of the item. If the item is not recovered, you must pay for the item in full."
If the merchandise is recovered but not in merchantable condition, then actual damages are equal to the retail price of the merchandise. The administrative costs fee is calculated based on costs incurred for recovery of the merchandise as well as theft detection and prevention.
"If a person is caught shoplifting at the MCX," said Gunnery Sgt. Corey Greenfield, Provost Marshal's Office patrol operations supervisor, "they are apprehended, brought to PMO, processed and then released to their unit. They will have shoplifting on their record for the rest of their life. If it is a civilian caught shoplifting, they will be detained, processed at PMO and then released to their sponsor."
For more information on the Civil Recovery Program, contact Chief Warrant Officer 2 Vincent Endresen, MCX retail officer, at 253-5641.