10 Most Asked Shoplifting Questions
91Would you watch her in your store?
Shoplifters Have Questions
If you've read my other articles about shoplifting on Hubpages.com, you'll notice in the comments sections (just below those articles) that I get asked many questions about shoplifting, loss prevention and internal retail theft. Although I spent many years in the business, I left the field in 2009 to pursue self employment. I still take an active interest in retail loss prevention and shoplifting and I read up on the latest trends, news and keep in touch with friends in the business. Apprehending shoplifters is an exciting field (ok, it used to be an exciting field) and I enjoyed my time in the business. Here are the top ten questions I've received from Hubpages (and other) people concerning shoplifting.
Could this be your mom?
Disclaimer
Please be advised. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY and I do not dispense legal advice. All I can offer you is my professional opinion, based on what you tell me. If you've been caught shoplifting, please consult a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Top 10 Most-Asked Questions About Shoplifting
1.) I was just caught shoplifting at Kmart and they want me to pay a civil fine. What's this all about?
In some states, stores who lose merchandise to shoplifters have instituted a civil fine to help defray the costs of loss prevention operations, merchandise, etc. The store (or chain) usually partners up with a law firm or collection service and split the fee down the middle. The average civil recovery fee in the United States is $250.
This fee will apply whether you have been arrested, or not. The recovery people are relentless in pursuing this fee and your chances of beating it in court are slim.
2.) Can a store detective physically detain me?
Most of the big US chains have policies in place that prevent loss prevention agents from laying their hands on you, or chasing you, should you choose to run. These policies were created (supposedly) for the safety of the employees and customers, but is definitely a smokescreen to avoid lawsuits should a party get injured (or killed) during an apprehension.
If you are physically detained by management, store or loss prevention employees, (or pursued by store employees outside the company boundaries) you may want to discuss this with your attorney to discover if the stop was legal. Just because the law in your area may state that a merchant (or employees of the chain) can physically detain you, doesn't mean that the store allows their employees to do so.
You can also be assured that if you choose to run (or walk away), the store will notify the police department and you will most-likely be arrested.
3.) How do I know if the store's loss prevention department will send me to jail?
You don't. The decision to prosecute can rely on the store's policy, your actions during the apprehension, the dollar amount of the merchandise stolen, or the local police department's policy on misdemeanor shoplifting.
Some stores have a set policy on prosecuting cases. For example, if you steal $20 worth of merchandise at Kmart, you're taking a ride. The decision has already been made and there is usually nothing you can do to prevent being prosecuted. Exceptions are rarely made/
I worked in a very high crime city for a large retail chain, where the local police asked us not to call them for anything under the amount of $250. Sticking a DVD in your pocket is a low level crime as far as the police department is concerned. They've got better things to do than bring you down to the police station and spend a couple of hours with you. A good LP department will work with the police department, no matter what the store's policy says.
Some police departments will just cite you and write you a ticket to appear in court on the charge. It all depends on your location.
Other reasons for the store calling the police on you, include:
- Running away
- Fighting with, or striking the loss prevention personnel/store management or other customers.
- Your not having proper ID with you.
- You've been caught once (or more) before.
- You've been stealing from the store for awhile and have not been caught until now.
4.) I know I'm being followed, but I have already concealed merchandise in my jacket pocket. What should I do?
Get rid of it. Put it on a shelf and leave the store. It's called dumping the merchandise. No merchandise? No shoplifting. Don't let the store detective/loss prevention people tell you concealment makes a case for shoplifting. It doesn't. Although there are some concealment laws on the books, (depending on where you live), The big chains don't allow their employees to apprehend on concealment of merchandise. It's embarrassing to dump your concealed goods in front of LP and exit the store, but it's 100 times more embarrassing to be arrested for shoplifting.
5.) The LP claims they have me on video stealing. Don't they have to let me see the tape?
No. 99.9% of loss prevention detectives will not let you see video of your apprehension. The police may want to see it (and usually do) , if it is available, Sometimes they'll take a copy with them for evidence. Most companies prohibit their employees from releasing video evidence to anyone, for any reason, without a release form approved by LP higher ups. These tapes sometimes end up on the internet and increase liability for the store.
6.) I was stopped outside of the store and accused of shoplifting, but did not have any merchandise on me. They made a mistake. What should I do?
If you were stopped by an agent of the store, accused of theft and do not have any merchandise on you, the employee(s) made something known (in the business) as a bad stop. If this should happen to you, please make mental notes of the following:
- What was I accused of taking?
- Was I touched in any way during my detainment?
- How many store employees/customers are present in the area?
You should ask for the person's name and position. You should also ask to speak with the store manager and ask for relevant phone numbers for LP and operational executives in the store. Don't say too much. Just explain the situation and be on your way, Contact an attorney as soon as possible to find out if your rights were infringed upon. 9 times out of 10, the store will attempt an out of court settlement. Sometimes it will be as simple as offering you an apology and a gift certificate. Talk to your lawyer before accepting any form of compensation.
7.) I was 8 months pregnant and stopped for stealing a can of baby formula? Can Loss Prevention detain a pregnant woman?
Of course. An LP agent is expected to use discretion and store policy when it comes to making an apprehension and the store doesn't want you to become ill or jeopardize your pregnancy, either. If you become sick or feel the need for medical treatment, ask the LP to call 911 immediately.
Usually senior citizens 70 and older and children younger than 7 are exempt from being detained by loss prevention. (This rule can vary by a few years, depending on your location)
8.) I stole a small bottle of perfume from a package that contained three bottles. The store charged me the price for all three bottles. How is this fair?
If you open a package, steal something from it and leave the remainder, the store can no longer sell the package as one item, so they charge you the retail price of the one item, as if you had stolen all three bottles.
9.) I was just arrested at a major retailer for getting a discount on a DVD player from my girlfriend who is a cashier at the store. She's the one who gave me the discount, so how come I got arrested?
You can rest assured that your girlfriend will most-likely suffer the same fate as you. Under ringing (or sweethearting , as it sometimes called) has been around forever. Most companies have strict rules against an employee ringing up a family member, spouse or friend. That infraction, alone could get your girlfriend terminated, but since the store had you prosecuted, you can bet they want to interview your girlfriend for an admission to this crime-and others she may have committed in the past. If the store has enough evidence against her, she could be arrested and charged.
10.) I was with my friend in a national discount pharmacy yesterday and I dared her to steal some makeup. I handed her what I wanted and she picked 2 items for herself and placed everything inside her knapsack. When we left the store, the LP came out and took us both to the security office. I had no merchandise. How come I got into trouble?
Because you took an active part in the shoplifting. You are being charged as an accomplice. Most stores will not charge another person who happens to be with the shoplifter when they steal, unless they take an active part in the crime. You physically handed the merchandise to your friend making you an accessory.
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seriously? For how long?
Hi newblender,
Sure you can be prosecuted for stealing deli meat. Providing it's packaged and priced.
For example, I get a pound of ham from the deli and it's tagged $6.49. I place it inside my pocket and leave the store. I can be charged with shoplifting.
Are you talking about someone who works there all day and is helping themselves to the goodies? A slice of cheese here, and a slice or two of capicola there? That's another story. It's difficult to place a price on unpackaged foods, eaten by employees. Every time I've come across that situation, the person with the eating problem would find themselves getting less and less hours and would eventually quit.
The third scenario is the free samples a deli person hands you at the counter to see if you like the product, or if you like the way it is cut. (thin, thicker, etc.)
A good deli person will also provide samples for your kids or other people shopping with you. And no, there is no way you could be caught shoplifting for samples.
I still want to hear more about the chicken, though! :)
Hey rockinjoe,
So 3 days ago i drove me and a couple friends to a local gas station. He decided to take 2 candy bars and pay for a muffin. As he was checking out me and a friend notices an employee staring at us and he stepped out of his spot and just stood by the door. We walked out and the kid that took the candy bars came behind us. We got into the car and drove off, being scared. Our other friend was still in there so we went to get him and he said that they told him to tell us that next time they will be watching us. Can they get my license plate and convict me? Will the police be calling my house or knocking on my door? Im so scared !!
Hi Paranoid....I wouldn't be concerned over a couple of candy bars. It's nothing you'll see the cops investigating, as I'm sure they're busy with real crime-and eating donuts and stuff of that nature.
Had your friend been caught, you wouldn't have been in any trouble, anyway.
Im really scared and i know i need to reconsider who i hang out with. But can i honestly rest assured that im safe? That they didnt track down my license plate and call the cops? Im pretty sure they have all of our faces on camera. The employees told my friend that to tell us that next time they will be watching us. My friend also said that after we left the employee raised up a candy bar and said to the cashier " this is what they stole". Im seriously scared and im not the kind of person to go around doing these kind of things. The guilt is eating me =(
Paranoid. Consider yourself safe. No one is going to come after you for a candy bar theft-especially when you weren't the one who stole the items. The police aren't going to trace your plates to look for your friend. The theft was under $5.00. If you feel guilty about it, get your friend to donate a few bucks and buy a meal for a homeless person or a Christmas gift for a kid whose parents can't afford one.
well said rockingjoe.
Thanks, corneliusgrey. I appreciate the comment.
Hi rockinjoe,
I would like to get your opinion. Yesterday I was at Albertson's grocery store when I was accused of shoplifting! I couldn't believe it! I had a handbasket filled and my reusable shopping bag on my shoulder along with my purse. I ran out of room and the handbasket and used my shopping bag to hold more items. This was also convenient because I had to make purchases on two separate credit cards. I use my reusable bag to hold items when shopping all the time there. I made no attempts to hide it, In fact I had nothing to hide, Even talking to a few employees while putting stuff in the bag. When I was done I went to the self checkout line that I always use and purchased the items in the handbasket using my husbands debit card. All the while an employee was helping me because the self checkout machine was not cooperating laying very light items. During this time I have my credit card's in my pocket and my purse, my oversized entirely too large purse on my right shoulder as well as the reusable shopping bag. The way they were positioned I could not see the shopping bag. I have degenerative disc disease and multiple sclerosis. This makes it impossible for me to turn my head very far in any direction. Unfortunately the multiple sclerosis also has damaged some brain function. It sounds kind of funny but it is a very annoying. It has severely inhibited my short term memory and the medications I have to take for the degenerative disc disease exacerbate this condition. While the employee was helping me check out the handbasket I kept saying I feel like I'm forgetting something. I very often have that feeling because I usually am forgetting something. I was an extremely sharp driven girl (valedictorian in college and everything) who is reduced to being a space cadet. I would think that the gentleman helping me at self checkout would mention oh what about your bag or something when he clearly saw me put items and it. After completing check out and paying for the items in the handbasket I went towards the door leaving all my purchases there with my purse and reusable bag on my shoulder still and grabbed a small cart to help me get the things to my car. I went back put the bags in the cart and said again "I feel like I'm forgetting something" standing at the the self check out the employee 5 feet away at customer service said excuse me can I see that bag I said sure and pushed the cart towards him not knowing which bag he was referring to so I brought them all. He pointed to my parents and I started to take it off my shoulder to give it to him and saw the reusable shopping bag. I said crap I almost forgot I have to get these on the other credit card. I started to walk towards self check out again and he stopped me took my shopping bag out of my hand and brought it to the computer that employees help self check out customers with. He called another employee over and she started scanning the items in. While she was doing that I noticed a few items that I had gotten too many of and told her well I don't need two of those or that one but I need everything house. She finished scanning everything and I held out my credit card to which she shrugged and pointed to the gentleman. He was on his cell phone and I was unaware of what was going on. He came over and accused me of stealing the items in the bag. I absolutely did not steal these I was trying her to pay for them. He then asked to see my purse which I gave him and he said what are those? I had to video games in my purse. I bought them at target a few days before along with other items for my son for Christmas and my husband left these games in his car that I used to get to the grocery store. I put them in my purse so my children would not see them next time they got in. He accused me of stealing them from the grocery store I said absolutely not, I bought peas at target, you don't even sell these here! He tried to confiscate them. I would not let him have them because I paid for them and have been with me when I came in the store. I asked him what was going on and he asked me to wait a minute. Then he asked for ID which unfortunately I had left at home. I am a space cadet after all. Then I said I have to go I have to feed my children dinner and this is taking too long then he informs me that the police were coming so I waited for a few more minutes because I had nothing to hide I haven't stolen anything. It was taking longer than expected so I told the grocery store employees here is my number you can have them come to my house if they would like but I have to go. I walked out to my car with the items I had already purchased when the police who showed up and blocked me and my parking space. The first officer asked me what happened and I explained to him he was very kind and said I understand these things happen. The second officer came and he spoke to the store workers. After several more minutes he came back and was an incredibly horrid to me. He accused me of trying to steal the items in my bag and would not listen to anything I had to say. He had not once interviewed me or talked to me the other officer had. He and forms me that I was extremely lucky because the store worker was not going to place me under citizens arrest. Apparently because I had walked past the cash register in the store I had unofficially stolen the items in the bag. The only reason I walked past the cash register was because the employee asked me to come over there when he said can I see your bag. At that point I was still standing there with my cart with a feeling of foreboding that I had forgotten something importuned that I needed to get. I was taking a moment to try and remember what it was. I never walked out of the store, never even attempted it with any items that were not paid for. I am there all the time I have made friends with a few of the employees there and I am appalled that now That I'm no longer allowed on the premises let alone shop in the store. I am so upset and angry, I cried for so many hours. I have never, not once, been in trouble for anything. I am the kind of person that goes overboard and does you way too much for people, that is to kind and tends to get taken advantage of. I feel completely railroaded! Worst of all this jerk of a cop was so mean to me and tells me to shut up he doesn't want to hear it, Tells me that either he or the store employee are going to send my information out to all the stores in the area. can they do that? I had not taken anything! Can they send my info to all the stores accusing me of being a shoplifter when I didn't take anything? I am guilty of being forgetful, that's it. I am mortified that I would be labeled as a thief add to any and all shops in my area. I had nightmare after nightmare last night waking up crying tears several times. I don't know what to do. my husband suggested calling a lawyer and filing suit with them. I don't want to have to go through that but I also don't want my name dragged you through the mud. Any suggestions?
Thank you so much for your time and I am very interested to hear your thoughts on the situation. I apologize for the lengthy nature of this post. Thanks again and best wishes to you and your family. Yours truly, upset and angry
Hi Upset and Angry-I used to work for a chain of supermarkets owned by Albertson's, so if everything you stated was the truth, I wouldn't be too surprised that this happened to you there.
If I read this correctly, you were not stopped outside of the store, but just after the cash register? Call a lawyer and check the apprehension policy at Albertson's. When I was with them a few years back, we made all apprehensions outside. No exceptions. I would also check into the employee looking through your pocketbook and accuse you of stealing the video games. He should never have gone through your bag. LP aren't cops. And to accuse you without seeing you conceal them, is a no no.
Seriously....call a lawyer.
Hi Rockinjoe,
Thank you for your response, it made me feel a little better. You give good advice. I'm still surprised at how much this is affecting me between the jerk-off Albertson's employee and the absolutely horrid cop,(I have lost a tremendous amount of respect for local law enforcement!!!) I still cry every time I think about it. I am definitely calling a layer!
I'm still trying to find out if what the cop said was true. Can they send my info to all the stores in the area? I would be mortified!
Thanks again for all your help! Rockin' Joe, you ROCK!
Ever Grateful, Upset and Angry
Thanks Upset and Angry! You equally rock! I hope you are compensated for this incident. To be accused of something while knowing you are innocent can be traumatic.
Try not to let one jerk cop ruin your perception of the police. Over the years, I've worked with a bunch of really great cops. I've also worked with my share of jerks in uniform. Every profession has their share of good and bad employees and cops are no exception.
Sure the stores can share your info. Either officially or not. There's nothing preventing one LP from calling another and telling anyone your name, address, details about the stop, etc. I wouldn't worry about that in your case. The supermarket appears to be at fault here. If I were the person who stopped you, I don't think I'd even discuss this with anyone.
One of my friends told me he stole 2 T-shirts and Guess jeans from a local clothing store ... Went into the fitting room and he broke of the security tags and put the cloths in to a other store shopping bag that the security of the clothing store closed with a stapler but he opened it and put the cloths that he wanted to take in it and staple it closed a gen but he didn't get rid of the tags and he then he went out the store but the security person went in the clothing room after he was there ... He does not know if the security persons got anything but he got away with it but he is scared they see him on camera and call the police and catch and arrest him and if he return to the store a gen and then arrest him? .... I did not know how to answer him ?..but I believe he learned a he's lesion... Must he be afraid that he can stile be caught ???
I believe that any store that allows you to take a bag inside a fitting room (and has no attendant at that room) is asking for their merchandise to be stolen In the "old days" there were full-time attendants in these areas. Not anymore-and both shoppers and merchants are paying the price.
Even if the cops were called the next time your friend enters the store, what are they going to tell the police? We think this guy stole some clothing from us last time and he may do it again? I don't know a cop on this earth who would answer that call.
The number of people who shop lift is amazing. Seven out of every ten shop lifters is a minor and one out of every four kids in a class room is likely to shop lift at-least once. Most shop lifters give themselves away and the first time stupid me rule, and second time stupid you rule is why you most likely got caught. Reviewing surveillance, finding a shortage and the clerk who thought he should have trusted his instincts at the time seldom forgets your face if you our dumb enough to show your face in the store later. The number of cons and tactics these people try is also amazing. Getting caught is seldom worth some cheap or petty item. Getting caught is embarrassing, the store gets to keep the merchandise and charge you for it, you get a fine and will be banned from the property. If all these stores rent from one property manager, you can be banned from all of them. Some stores will ban you from all there stores for life. If you our caught on there property you can be charged with trespassing. If you get caught stealing again the charge in some places will become a felony offence no matter how petty the thief was because of the trespassing charge. There is no way that being a shop lifter is worth it. In most cases the Police are more then happy to arrest these people. Often times most adults who do this are people the police want to identify for many other crimes else where. Most criminals progress from the petty crimes to the bigger ones and have no problem committing the smaller ones at times.
SanXuary-Thanks for the comment. I appreciate your stopping by.
So today I went to Fred meyers and loaded up my cart with items I didn't plan on paying for probably about 250$ worth of items. I made it out of the store with my cart full of stolen items and when I got to my car a lp approached me and was like do.t even think about it so I just left the cart with all the merchandise and drove off in my car. Do you think Fred meyers called the cops and will be pressing charges. I never got any of the items that were in my cart I seen the lp grab the cart and return to the store but I'm sure he got my license plate number. I'm so scared I never do stuff like this but was in desperate need of some stuff for my house. I live in Oregon if that matters. Please let me know asap I've been just praying the cops aren't gonna show up to my door step. I've learned my lesson and will never ever do something like this again.
Hi Rockinjoe
today i went to buy a few things from a grocery store, and because the que to the pay points was so long and i was really starving i bought a pie worth of R8.99 which is about $1.08. So i ate the pie while queing to pay for my groceries and left the packaging in the cart of which i decided not to pay for at the till point. So i paid for the other goods but just as i was heading for the exit a store detective called me and asked why didn't i pay for the pie i ate and i couldn't answer why, so she said she will call the cops and i'll have a criminal record. I offered to return one of the goods and pay for the R8.99/$1.08 pie. So she agreed and took me to the customer care till point and returned one of the goods to pay for the pie. Afterwards she asked for my name, age and address and i gave them to her and i didn't lie about them then she told me that they're banning me from coming to the store ever again but she didn't give me anything to sign besides asking for my name, age and address. She didn't call the cops but then she said she'll forgive me now but i must not do it ever again and i can come to the store on condition that i won't do it again. So i left the store feeling very scared of being charged with a criminal record because of $1.08 pie. What do you think she will do with my name, age and address? Would she give my details to the cops? Would she charge me with a criminal offence without my knowledge? I have learnt my lesson and feeling very guilty about it and that was the first time ever i did something like that and i will never ever do it. Please help i am scared that it might come back to haunt me one day.
Hi straightscared123, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. It's my busy season this time of year. You're all set. The store got their merchandise back. If the LP wanted to (or could have) apprehended you, he would have. I would have taken your plate number, as well. I'd be looking for you to come back.
Shoplifting is a bad habit.. Everyone must try this..Great hub
Hi htodd,
Very nice of you to comment. I appreciate it!
Hi, Scared to death...My sincere apologies for not getting back to you earlier. For some reason, your post was not showing up in my queue.
Someone put you though that for $1.08? This store detective must have been lacking in the apprehension area and needed to justify her paycheck to the boss.
Don't worry about anything. She was trying to scare you. Lots of stores have a $5 and above shoplifting minimums and usually do not deal with consumption (eating on the premises cases) as they are usually for low amounts of money and cops don't like to deal with them.
However, there was a story a few weeks ago concerning a
4 year old child apprehended by a Safeway store for eating some dried fruit and a couple (one pregnant) charged with eating sandwiches before purchase. You can read about those here. http://ishoplifted.com/2011/11/28/safeway-supermar
Good luck!
Hi Anxiety Attack,
I seem to be getting a ton of Best Buy questions, lately. Apparently theft is up at BB.
It's highly doubtful. I'm sure Best Buy has an elaborate camera system (I have not seen it, personally), but even if they have a top of the line digital camera system, it would be nearly impossible to catch you without someone following you on cam and zooming in and focusing, etc.
Plus they blew their chance when you made it out of the store and to your car.
Rated Up and several others. Good info.
You rock, Patty! Thanks a million.
hello!
i have two questions for you! if you are caught on tape, but leave the store, can they do anything but try & catch you if you come back? i am assuming that unless you have stolen hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of merchandise they are not going to try and track you down after you've left the store.
also, if a stolen item is brought back and exchanged without a problem, but you show your ID, could there be an issue in the future, when they realize that the returned item was stolen?
thank you!!
Hi unsure.
It depends on the store. Kmart (for example) isn't going to track you down for a $75 electric shaver, (unless you're an employee), but if an on the ball store detective saw you come in again, he/she may watch you to see if you stole again and then either attempt to apprehend you, or call the police after you steal, so they'll be waiting for you outside when you leave.
On the other hand, if you steal an item from a small business (such as local computer or clothing store) they don't play by the same rules as the chains. Small businesses get hit hard from theft and may chase you for blocks in an attempt to catch you and get their stuff back. (The same as if you were walking down the street and some guy grabbed your pocketbook and took off-you'd run after him and try and catch him.)
As for your second question:
Most stores require an ID to return an item without a receipt. In the old days, the customer service clerk would write down your name, address, license number, etc. and if you got greedy, they would shut you off when you reached a certain dollar amount, or a certain number of transactions.. Now, the software in the cash register system does this work and keeps track of your returns.
So, sure, there could be a problem in the future. If you begin returning stolen items, I'm going to know what you look like (from the service desk cameras) and also have your personal info. I'm not only going to wait for you to come in and steal again, but I'm also going to call every sister store in the area (and perhaps friends of mine who work at other stores in the plaza) and let them know about you. I'm going to make sure that if anyone sees you in the store, they are to alert me, immediately.
Simple shoplifting is one thing, but refund fraud is a whole different situation and not something to get involved in. Retailers and cops might give you a break on a simple shoplift, but refund fraud is definitely going to get you arrested and could get you multiple charges.
Hey Rockinjoe,
Thank you so much for your response, I really appreciate it. I wrote you back once but I don't think it went through, sorry if I'm double posting.
A friend of mine had given me a $20 bottle of lotion from sephora for Christmas & I went to the store closest to me to exchange it for a different kind. I found out afterwards that she had stolen the original bottle and of course got very worried, especially because I had given them my ID. I'm sure I could have gotten into all sorts of trouble, as you said, and for a crime I didn't commit.
I am assuming that since there was no trouble when I returned the item and left the store, and because it wasn't worth much I don't have to worry, but of course I am worried!
Thank you again!
Hi unsure,
You've got nothing to worry about. You'd have to be caught shoplifting the item yourself to be charged with its theft.
Even if you had gone to the store where it had been stolen and successfully returned it you would have been ok.
There was no crime committed on your end,
Hi Joe,
Good articles. I'm searching for answers because I don't want my daughter to face legal repercussions, but...tonight I discovered that my daughter shoplifted a bra while with me at Wal-Mart (she is 16 and had gone off on her own when she apparently concealed the bra). She mistakenly dropped it once we got home and I figured out what'd happened.
I'd like to make her return it in hopes of teaching her a big lesson about stealing, but don't want to go down that road if Wal-Mart will call the cops on her and she'll end up with something on her record. Do you know what their policy is on shoplifting? What should I do?
Thanks
Hi Worried Mom,
I don't know what their policy is on shoplifting, but I know there would be no repercussions for returning the item. (Other than a major amount of embarrassment.) If Walmart didn't stop her when she took the item, they can't do anything afterward. Don't be concerned about an arrest. The worst that could happen is they ask your daughter not to return to the store and I highly doubt this would happen, as it's poor customer service and Walmart wants your money.
If you want her to return it, I suggest you call the manager and tell him or her what happened and what you want to do. You can also ask the store manager to assure you there will be no legal action. Then just set up a time that's convenient.
I've seen this method work miracles with 10 and 12 year olds but I don't know how effective it would be on a 16 year old.
You seem like a great mom. I hope this works out for you.
I have recently been fired from cvs pharmacy and was wondering if the statement Lp had me signed if i can legally get a copy of it.?? please help anyone.
HI Tara, I'm sorry, but I can't answer your question. You're going to have to discuss that with a lawyer.
Hey ok so my friend got caught stealing 2 items worth 20$. I had also taken something but as soon as she got caught I put it back. They didn't notice it. Can I get in trouble?
Hi Panicked, If there is no merchandise on you, when you leave the store, there is no crime. You're not going to get in a trouble a day or a few days after a small shoplifting. They have to get you at the time of the incident. Looks like you made it out.
Thanks Joe!! I can finally sleep :) it was a stupid thing I did and it was to much of a close call. This is one girl that will never shoplift again! Phew!!
I have been shoplifting for a year now and never got caught. I also sell the items to stores like plato's closet for cash. I was approached the other day by a store employee while I was shoplifting and was asked to leave the store b/c of a past incident. I had merchandise on me but nothing was said. I left the store but now I am panicking. Before I started to steal from this store I had bought something with no receipt and returned it and they asked for my DL and also Plato's closet asks for DL and gives you checks and I deposited them in to my bank. Now I paranoid I am going to get caught. I do not steal anymore since being approached by the store employee...but I am terrified.
Hi Panicked,
Sleep well! Get a few hours for me, if you can. I could use it. (Glad I could help!)
Hi Elena,
You mentioned that you were asked to leave over a prior incident? Was it a theft? Have you been trespassed from that store?
You're not only dealing with shoplifting her, but also from the sounds of it, refund fraud and selling stolen merchandise. That's way beyond my scope of knowledge.
I hate to sound like a broken record on some of these questions, but the only advice I can give on this one is to talk to an attorney.
I have shopliftTheater Kohls for a couple years. It has always been in the dressing room. The security things at the doors have never went off. I had things in a buggy last week and wasituating at the front and my sister was with me, she came to the front and grabbed the buggy and we had some shoes and a couple shirts. A couple days later I had put some underwear and clothes in the buggy. I went in the dressing room and put some of the underwear and a bra in my purse. My sister was outside. I walked outside and a girl employee followed me I went back in the store, and in a dressing room, and took the stuff out. She followed me back out and got my license plate number. Do you think they will call the cops? I wasn't stopped, but I'm pretty sure she wrote the plate number down.
Hi WorriedSisters, If I were the LP, I would NOT have called the cops. She probably knew you were watching her from the car and wanted to scare you.
A good LP would go to the dressing rooms, first and see if you brought back the merchandise (which you had done) and would wait for you to come back and steal next time.
She can't stop you on stuff you took a couple of days ago. It doesn't work that way.
But just beware, if your'e cleaning the store out on a regular basis and LP is having a tough time apprehending you (due to their rules) she may call the police. They don't have to wait for you to leave the store.
All she has to do is call and say that she's had a continual problem with you shoplifting and they will show up to check you out.
They could be waiting outside the dressing rooms for you someday.
hi there,my and ex partner were arrested in the shop i was working in,i put some expensive items into inexpensive boxes and "helped" her find the items she was looking for she paid me for the items then i helped her to her car lp came out with centre securiy or mall cops as you guys would say they grabbed her and myself so i dropped the merchandise broke free and removed the security from her and left we were picked up by police any chance of us getting off with it or at least her? thanks.
I doubt it. You not only stole from the store, but assisted another person in doing so. Then you broke free, physically made the security guard release your accomplice and fled the scene. I think you'll both be visiting a judge on this one.
Good luck!
newblender 7 months ago
Is it true that you can not be prosecuted for stealing deli meat? My uncle told me this, but he is in prison for stealing a live chicken from KFC.