CABIN ATTENDANT RPT; B737; SFO-LAX. PAX CAUGHT TRYING TO STEAL OUT OF LIQUOR CART IN THE AISLE THAT RPTR WAS WORKING. CAPT TALKED TO PAX; POLICE MET FLT.

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I WAS IN THE AISLE SERVING BEVERAGES AND TURNED TO SEE THE PAX IN ROW X WITH HIS HAND IN MY LIQUOR DRAWER. I TOLD HIM THIS WAS NOT 'SELF SVC.' AS WE PROCEEDED TO RETURN TO THE GALLEY; HE AND HIS WIFE STOPPED ME AND ASKED FOR A SUPVR. THE CAPT WAS INFORMED OF THE ATTEMPTED THEFT; AND DECIDED TO SPEAK TO THEM. WHEN THE CAPT RETURNED; HE STATED THE PAX WERE RUDE AND BELLIGERENT TO HIM. HE DECIDED TO CALL IN THE LCL POLICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FLT SVC TO SPEAK WITH THE PAX. RPTS WERE TAKEN FROM THE PAX AND MYSELF. I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE CLR TO PEOPLE THAT THEY CANNOT JUST HELP THEMSELVES TO CATERING ITEMS; ESPECIALLY LIQUOR. THEY ARE NOT AWARE THAT IT IS THEFT. CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: THE RPTR STATED THAT THE MAN OFFERED NO EXCUSE FOR RIFLING THROUGH HER WINE DRAWER; THAT ALSO CONTAINED SNACKS. SHE DIDN'T KNOW IF HE WAS AFTER THE SNACKS OR THE WINE; SO SHE OFFERED HIM ANOTHER SNACK; WHICH HE DECLINED. WHEN SHE TOLD THE CAPT; HE SAID 'I'LL GO RIGHT BACK AND TALK TO THEM.' THE RPTR SAID IT WASN'T NECESSARY; THAT IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. HE INSISTED; HOWEVER. WHEN THE CAPT WENT BACK; THE WIFE WAS THE MORE VERBALLY ABUSIVE ONE. 3 POLICE OFFICERS MET THE FLT. ONE TALKED TO THE MAN AND THE CAPT; ANOTHER TALKED TO THE WIFE AND A THIRD TALKED TO THE RPTR.