An idol mind is the devil's workshop when you are jobless and you need to take care of your basic needs, you will start thinking of a way out for yourself since they government cares less about you. Bad economy can lead so many people astray to commit crime in a high level especially the poor ones that have no hope to feed.
Recession is a key factor to crime due to lost of jobs,high cost of commodities and low income only the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer because the rich are taking advantage of the situation. Bad economy can come from bad leaders that are not concerned about their citizens but instead loots the country's funds for themselves and their family.
Sometimes they are going to blame officials for the bad economy which leads to protests on the streets. Surprisingly this has not happened or perhaps they are still not organized yet.
When a person has to feed his family, he needs to find a job but if companies are laying off and not accepting new applicants, he will do terrible things to provide. Some rob like you said looting the grocery stores.