What if I got caught shoplifting, and got away?
So i was caught shoplifting some shoes for my friend at Kohl's the other day. Shoes cost about $52, but since they were on sale it would have been below the $50 mark.The guy stopped me in the parking lot and made me walk back into some room, a lady held the door while he asked me question such as name, address and cell number. I know giving false information could make matters worse, so i answered the questions politely. But he was never shown an actually state I.D. He said the cops were on the way, and that i was going to jail. I got really scared and ran out the door, through the store and took off in my car. They tried running me down, but couldn't catch me. After about 2 1/2 days, i was running errands with a friend in wal-mart, we stopped to grab some food in the mc'ds and someone tapped on my shoulder. I turn around to see the SAME guy that stopped me in kohls! He told me running was a bad idea, and that there was a warrant out for me, and then proceeded to take a picture of me and my friend on his personal cell phone. Then he chased me through the parking lot, but once again i got away. Okay, yess crazy story. Questions are: -even though i gave the merchandise back, and they never actually saw an i.d. can they still put a warrant out? -what charges will be pressed against me? -can that security guy even talk to me and mention about the previous day off the clock? -can he take pictures of me and chase me around off the clock? -will the authorities even do anything? I need all information and details. As much as I can get!
What is it like to get caught shoplifting at Walmart?
The loss prevention person will stop you as you try to leave and escort you into the security room. If you try to flee or resist you will have aditional charges added when the police arrive and they are usually already on the way. If you have fled the scene the officers will be given your description and they will hunt for you.Wal Mart's policy is to prosecute. If they choose not to prosecute it will be an exception to the rule. While you are sitting in the security room the loss prevention person will be sorting and photographing the property, preparing their police report and copying the video for the police. They will take your picture, issue you a trespass warning for all Wal Marts, meaning that you will be arrested if you return to that store or any Wal Mart.In many states you will be issued a legal notice that you owe the store 2 or 3 hundred dollars in a civil penalty to cover their cost.Then you will be turned over to the custody of the police officer. The police offficer determines if you are eligible for being issued a court date and a notice to appear or if you get the full ride to jail.If you are a juvenile the police will either have you call your parents to come pick you up (imagine having to explain yourself on the phone) or they will transport you to the juvenile processing center.The arrrest becomes a permanent part of your history.Wal Mart is vigorous about catching and prosecuting.
How do people not get caught shoplifting?
I'm not asking how can i steal and not get caught but I don't understand how people can get in a store, take some stuff, and get out with no problem. Beside the moral side of stealing how can people not see them commit the act, every store i go there is cameras and I've always assumed there was people watching those cameras so people don't get away with shoplifting. I don't think its hard to see people take stuff off a shelf and see them not put it back.
Got caught shoplifting. no cops called. What now?
I'm not lawyer, but I used to work in loss prevention for a major retailer, so I can give you a bit of insight. If they didn't call the cops, you're probably fine. I'm willing to bet that what you're calling a "fine" was actually restitution. A fine is paid to the court/government/some other public body. Restitution, on the other hand, is repayment to the store for the loss you caused. If your payment was going to the store you shoplifted from (or its corporate office), the cops never showed and you haven't received any communication from the police, you're fine. When I caught shoplifters and prosecuted, it was a big to do, and the cops came EVERY time. The times I didn't prosecute, the procedure was pretty much what you're describing. Note: Pay your restitution! I can't stress this enough. Chances are, you signed some form during the whole ordeal that stated you owed a certain amount of restitution. On that form there was also likely a section that allows prosecution down the line should you fail to pay restitution. That means you miss a payment, you could still end up in jail. Just pay it up and move on. Also, if they didn't prosecute, you (obviously) have no record. However, there is a private database of people who have been caught stealing from retailers. Not all companies are a part of it, and, generally, those that are only use it for cases of employee theft; but you should be aware of its existence. I've never really used it, so I can't give you much info, but it does exist. Probably nothing to worry about, but it never hurts to be informed. Lastly, if they're anything like where I worked, they didn't mail the picture anywhere. The pictures are saved in case you ever decide to return (chances are they told you never to come back). If you do decide to return, they can ID you quickly without any trouble. Loss Prevention is also pretty high turnover, so the guy that caught you today could be gone next week. The picture is a way for the next guy to ID you. Sorry the answer was so long, but I hope it helps! PS They can't "get" you for looking suspicious. If they do stop you, and you haven't done anything wrong, call a lawyer. You can sue - they're not just allowed to pick people out and harass them. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'm just saying it's wrong, and you have recourse if it happens to you.
A friend got caught shoplifting. I was with them and don't think it was shoplifting. What should I do now?
If you were with someone that shoplifted, you would not be liable unless you participated in the theft. Just being with someone is not a crime. Some examples of involvement that could bring you into it….you shield the person so he/she could conceal the merchandise without detection, you select expensive items and hand them to the person to conceal, you block the LP person from making the stop so your friend can run away…..get the connection? My advice, select better friends. Not cool they steal around you….Steve
What are the consequences if you get caught shoplifting?
That is a difficult question to answer. A lot depends on the value of what you stole, if you have previous convictions and if you injured someone while being detained.For the first time offender for a small, 20.00 item, not much. Most areas would allow you to plead down to trespassing and receive a small fine or none at all.If you are a repeat offender, it could include jail time. In large cities, you would most likely have to be on conviction 4 to 6 to warrant jail time. The jails are over crowded and "reserved" for the worst criminals.Becoming more popular with some retailers is completing a diversion program offered by the retailer in partnership with a private company. By completing the diversion program keeps you out of the court system.Shoplifting is a major problem for retailers, law enforcement and the courts. Texas has moved to a 50.00 minimum amount before the police will respond. Under 50.00 and you get a free pass. Hope that helps...Steve
How do shoplifters get caught after the fact?
I was indicted 2 years after the fact in a theft from Wal-Mart. The actual theft was a success, however due to video cameras, social media, AND physical evidence they were able to pin the theft.This is my theory on how you can get charged after the fact. Say you're stealing something, and you get away with it, however you are on security footage, sure they can ID you by your image, but can they determine what you stole and how much it cost by video footage alone. Furthermore do they have any evidence that you did indeed steal the item. Let's face it, if you dont have the item currently, you can tell them you never did it, and it's your word vs. A video camera. It's not sufficient evidence to charge someone with theft. So now say you steal an item, but you take it out of the wrapper and you leave the wrapper behind, you get out of the store, BUT now you are on camera AND they have a physical representation of items stolen. This is enough to charge you with theft, the same can be said for those attempting to steal, who are stopped on the way out the door, if you run, you still can be charged with theft… if you leave evidence behind. And most loss prevention will not stop the pursuit until they have their merchandise..