In NC, where I have worked retail, you have to show something is concealed from view, and show intent to not pay for it. Usually we would wait for the person to attempt to walk past the register if they had been observed concealing items. Some larger stores will stop them once they conceal something in their coat or bag. I have a hard time believing that putting something in a mesh, open top bag would be considered concealment by anybody. I also agree with bmclaughlin807 in that it pays to get to know the people. My wife stopped by one of the local sandwich/sub shops to get something to eat the other day, she got a business related phone call and forgot to pay for it and walked out. I happened to be working at my wife's store when the fellow called me an told me what happened, just happens one of his employees was making a payment for her prom dress at our store on her way to work, so we just sent the money back with her small town living at it's best. But on the flip side if you are going to be a career criminal don't do it in a small town because everybody will know it and won't let you in the door. I shop the local owned grocery store in that town quite often and they all know me and my bike. Normally I lock up out front under the build canopy, but forgot my lock one day. I asked if I could leave it in the front of the store by the register, the manager insisted on locking it in his office for me, on that day I just happened to be riding my Redline 9.2.5 fixie.

Aaron