Ben Weaver complains to the Mayberry sheriff's office that merchandise has been disappearing from his department store. While Andy investigates, Barney decides to go undercover to catch the crook(s).
Department store owner Ben Weaver becomes concerned when he realizes that a good amount of his stock has gone missing. Andy thinks it's due to shoplifting but Barney is convinced that it may be a burglar so he breaks a date with Thelma Lou to explore the premises after hours. Ben Weaver decides to do the same and all they manage to do is scare each other half to death. Andy finally gets Barney to go to the store during regular working hours to keep his eyes open for shoplifters but when the bumbling Deputy arrests what appears to be a kindly old lady he seems to have messed up yet again.—garykmcd