Caught Shoplifting at Kohls

**STARDANCE** · 09-21-2007, 03:25 PM

A couple of days ago I was caught shoplifting at Kohl's Department Store in Ohio. I am extremely embarassed and ashamed. I had never done anything like that before. Here's the story: I tried on a lot of clothes in the dressing room and I took two tank tops ($10.00/each) and put them in my purse- stupid I know. I walked around for like another 15 mins. and then I decided to leave. As soon as I walked out, the LP guy comes running up to me. He asks me to follow him so I did and he asked for my purse. I handed it to him. He escorted me to the backroom. He then called a witness which was the dressing room attendent girl. He kept the door open and she sat in the doorway. He asked me questions about what I did. I admited what I did right off the bat. He asked me to fill out the form basically that asked for my personal information (name, address, phone #, SS#, etc.) He then asked me to take out the merchandise that I took. I placed them on the table. He then asked where the earrings were. I didn't take any earrings (no idea why he asked me that). I took everything out of my purse to show him that I didn't have anything else. I then signed a piece a paper saying that I would never go into any Kohl's ever again. Also, he said that I would have to appear in court and that Kohl's would send me a letter and I would have to pay a fine to them which is fine and expected. I was very cooperative, said "yes, sir" and cried a lot. He took my picture and then said I was free to go and for me to try to have a good day.

The part that is really confusing to me is....No cop was called- I was not given a citation. How can I go to court when I didn't receive a ticket?... I wasn't even escorted out of the store. Was this a scare tactic??

panther10758 · 09-21-2007, 03:41 PM

Its possible they wont file charges however they hav euntil the statute of limitations runs out to do so. that is most likely a year. All they need to do is file a Police report.

**cyl** · 09-23-2007, 04:59 PM

Charges might not be filed, however, the shoplifting incident could be reported to a third party background check agency.

**STARDANCE** · 09-23-2007, 08:05 PM

then what would they do? my record is clean....

**cyl** · 09-23-2007, 08:16 PM

When you apply for jobs at retailers the shoplifting incident would come up in your background check. These theft/shoplifting databases are there to serve the retailer industry with their pre-employment background checks and/or any employer that leans heavily on integrity, i.e. CIA & the FBI.

**STARDANCE** · 09-24-2007, 08:17 PM

oh ok thank you so much for your input.... hopefully it will be ok - i will NEVER do this again!!!

**cyl** · 09-24-2007, 11:07 PM

One way to find out if they report shoplifting incidents to outside agencies is to email/call the specific department within the corporate office of Kohl and find out. This is general information so feel comfortable to ask.