DAVIS – A Vacaville man was charged by Davis police Monday morning with shoplifting nearly $800 worth of groceries.

A local grocery store reported a theft in progress when the suspect pushed a shopping cart full of merchandise out of the store and loaded it into his car, police said.

After loading the groceries, including milk, eggs and wine, into his car, he left the grocery store. Davis police stopped him nearby and he was charged, according to a Davis police spokesman.

“People steal anything because they know they can. There are no consequences for anything, so there is a section that steals the bare necessities,” said Amar Gandhi, spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

Demand and opportunity can lead to an increase in retail crime, according to experts.

The Retail Theft Reduction Act creates a new charge for thieves who steal property valued at more than $950 with the intent to sell, exchange, or return the goods for a fee.

Currently, under Prop 47, such thefts valued at less than $950 can only be charged as misdemeanors, not felonies.

“The big retailers can absorb a lot of those costs, but when they do that, those costs get passed on to you because you pay more for those goods,” Gandhi said.

Compassionate shoppers recognized the reason for this crime but still paid at the checkout.

All items were returned to the store.