Suspected Shoplifting, No Evidence

[citycenter]

A police officer just came to my door saying I am being accused of stealing a thousand dollar suit. What happened was I went to the store and bought almost a thousand dollars worth of clothes, but I did not steal the suit that is in question. I came to the store the day before and saw two suits I liked, I had them put on hold.

I came back the next day with a bag full of other clothes and shoes so I could try it on with the suits. I didn't like the suit that I am being accused of stealing, so I put it back. But I bought the other suit and some other items.

The officer comes to the house and tells me the clerk said I stole the suit because no one else came before or after I left.

I also must add the I was accused of stealing items at another store in town, but that proved to be false. My bags were checked and I was cleared, but a police report was filed anyway.

I don't know what to do with the incident with the suit. I didn't take anything. I must admit, the bag was a red flag. I should not have brought the bag in with me to the shop. I just wanted to try on the suit with some clothes I already had. After all, if I am going to spend a whole lot of money, I want to make sure it goes with things I already have.

Also, I have to admit that when I do go out, I look pretty disheveled. I work hard during the week so on my days off, I like to look comfortable. My friend says I look like a homeless person.

My question is: if there is no evidence that I took the clothes, what can they do to press charges? The officer said that the owner of the store could still press charges. Is that true without having solid evidence that I took the items? If I don't have the suit, what can they do? How can I prove that I didn't steal it? Should I call the owner and tell her I didn't take it?

[aaron]

If the store owner believes you stole the suit, calling probably won't change anything.

If they charge you, it would presumably be on the circumstantial case along the lines of this: you had the suit put on hold, came in with a bag, tried it on, didn't buy it, and it disappeared from the store without anybody else having access to the area where you left it.

[citycenter]

the store owner to apply the circumstantial charges? Even without any evidence? How will any judge allow based on the "circumstantial case"?

Thank you, by the way.

[DANO12345]

This again is a common techmique that Loss Prevention Officers are trained to look for. Putting multiple items on 'hold' are scrutinized CLOSELY. I doubt highly the retail establishment would press charges without them holding some sort of proof the clerk is not aware of.