Be very careful when doing this. Technically speaking, Asset Protection could arrest you for shoplifting between the router bit display and the cash register if they spot it. Similar to popping AP tags off of items before purchasing them.
When I was working retail you couldn't stop anyone until they tried to leave the store.
Edit: Example from Michigan https://www.michigancriminalattorneysblog.com/tampering-thef...
I didn't find any employees walking the aisles, just the guy working the register, who glibly advised me "yeah, you should probably look for somebody to unlock that" and provided no further assistance. Only after another fruitless search for such a somebody did I resort to my DIY technique.
Edit: A funny side note, some months prior to this event I had been in the same store to buy a different router bit. On that occasion I did find a very helpful employee who wanted to unlock the bit for me but did not know how. He cut it off the peg with a utility knife on his belt, slicing through the plastic packaging. I was more nervous going to the cash register with that!
Yeah. For sure! However, AP guys and cops can be pretty unreasonable.
Nobody gets arrested for only tampering with the device.
> If you are arrested for tampering with a theft detection device, retail fraud, organized retail theft, or any other shoplifting offense it is extremely important to not make statements to loss prevention, police officers, or anyone else about what allegedly occurred.
Intent is almost impossible to prove unless the suspect voluntarily admits it during questioning or walks out the door without paying (which speaks for itself).
Tampering with the device is not enough to get you arrested. AP/LP may detain you (and the cops may even be called as a show of force). There's only one way you get arrested in this situation.