To be guilty of shoplifting, what must an individual do?

To be guilty of shoplifting, the key element is the act of leaving the store with stolen items. Shoplifting typically involves the unlawful taking of goods from a retail establishment, and this is solidified when the individual exits the premises without paying for the items.

While entering a store with the intention to buy or attempting to conceal items are actions that could be related to shoplifting behavior, they do not constitute the act of shoplifting on their own. The actual offense is completed when an individual leaves the store with merchandise that they have not paid for. This focus on the act of taking and leaving is essential in distinguishing shoplifting from other potential actions that may occur within a store, such as browsing or attempting to steal without leaving the premises. Therefore, the correct response highlights the critical moment of theft, which is leaving with the stolen goods.