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The Pursuit of Shoplifters

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  • 06-10-2011, 07:29 PM
    cutlikeasurgeon
    The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Minnesota

    I may or may not have lifted a case for my ipod ($40)from a best buy which is super busy. Nobody stopped me, though lots best buy employees offered help, as the always so. I walk right out of the store, past the AP guy who was watching the cameras. Im sure im on camera. I got in my car and drove out of the parking garage (publically owned). Would they look through all the film from that day, possibly see me, look at the garage film, get the plates, contact the police, and arrest me? All of a $40 item?

    Note: the angle of the camera does not allow for me to be seen exiting the garage but they could see me arrive. The plates are not in my name either.
  • 06-10-2011, 08:02 PM
    LawResearcherMissy
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Would they? We can't answer that.

    Can they? Definitely. They have a year to do so, and they can nail you for far more than $40.
  • 06-10-2011, 08:15 PM
    jk
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    cutlikeasurgeon;529925]

    I may or may not have lifted a case for my ipod ($40)from a best buy which is super busy.
    What? You don't know if you stole something?

    Quote:

    Nobody stopped me, though lots best buy employees offered help, as the always so. I walk right out of the store, past the AP guy who was watching the cameras. Im sure im on camera. I got in my car and drove out of the parking garage (publically owned). Would they look through all the film from that day, possibly see me, look at the garage film, get the plates, contact the police, and arrest me? All of a $40 item?

    Note: the angle of the camera does not allow for me to be seen exiting the garage but they could see me arrive. The plates are not in my name either
    Only time will tell. I guess you will have to wait out that year always wondering.
  • 06-10-2011, 08:45 PM
    cutlikeasurgeon
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    hehe alright. well ive got a lot more than they could ever imagine. plus its a now or never kind of thing. with the amount of shit stolen from that place i would be surprised if they even care. between man hours and court fees, $40 is not justified. they have bigger problems. sure they could but why would they? to make a point? who would see it? the police arrive at my house take me down to the yard, nobody would know or care. if i was paraded through the store in cuffs, then yes. if they had a firm source of id on me, then yes. they aint got shit. it was a sloppy job, but sometimes we get lucky. ;)
  • 06-10-2011, 09:18 PM
    jk
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    between man hours and court fees, $40 is not justified.
    man hours? It's called a write off but you do realize they hire LP just for the purpose of preventing and, when necessary, being involved in a trial against a thief and they would have no court fees if you are criminally prosecuted.

    Who knows, maybe the LP manager has no life and sits there every day just watching store video looking for shoplifters.

    If you really had any balls, you would figure out how to take a big screen TV.
  • 06-10-2011, 09:36 PM
    LawResearcherMissy
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    between man hours and court fees, $40 is not justified.
    Oh, honey, no. It's really cute that you think they won't ever pursue you because "it's not justified", but I promise you, if they do pursue you, you'll pay for those man hours and court fees, and so much more.

    You might look into the concept of "civil demands".

    My husband's company pursues ALL shoplifters very aggressively. By the time they got done with the young lady who stole a $5 energy drink, she racked up court costs, attorney fees, anti-shoplifting class fees, fines, restitution, and the civil demand totaling a couple grand. NEVER be so stupid as to believe that a company will not pursue you based on cost alone.
  • 06-10-2011, 11:35 PM
    cyjeff
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    You know what's really funny? That you think you are stealing from a really big company.

    What you are really doing is stealing from all the rest of us. That's right. BB doesn't just absorb the costs of theft... they pass them along to the rest of us in the form of higher prices.

    The average family pays over $400 a year due to shoplifting charges.

    Allow me to say for everyone else, thanks a bunch.

    I hope they do review the tape. Good luck.
  • 06-11-2011, 03:25 AM
    DaveJames
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Looking forward to your future post when you do get caught and cant afford the civil restitution and court fines and start crying to us for help. There is more than one reason I avoid McDonald's.
  • 06-11-2011, 07:19 AM
    cyjeff
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting DaveJames
    View Post
    Looking forward to your future post when you do get caught and cant afford the civil restitution and court fines and start crying to us for help. There is more than one reason I avoid McDonald's.

    Or when he complains because no one will hire him because he has a criminal record.

    I can already write parts of it "how long must a youthful mistake follow me. how am I supposed to feed my family? Why can't I get this sealed or expunged so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life explaining why I thought it was so cool to steal? Why aren't employers okay with hiring a thief?"
  • 06-11-2011, 09:32 AM
    cbg
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    The temptation to forward this thread to the St. Paul police is overwhelming....
  • 06-11-2011, 03:41 PM
    bam!
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    It's funny you mention that because I just saw a shoplifter get busted at a mall yesterday. I saw the entire thing go down. The shoplifter was approached by mall security and the store security. He fought, was taken down, pummelled, peppersprayed and handcuffed. I saw a package of socks drop from his pants. He was drug to the back and the police were called. Being nosy as I am, I talked with a mall security guard. The shoplifter stole a package of $19.98 socks. The state law allows for the amount of the merchandise PLUS $150.00 in Civil Demand. The shoplifter got charged with Robbery because he fought security. The shoplifter was also wanted for several other shoplifting incidents at the store and mall. He is going away for several years for a package of $19.98 socks.

    Yes you got away. Will you get tracked down? Maybe, maybe not. You never know, they could be investigating another incident and run across your shoplifting. I can tell you, if you continue to shoplift, the odds flip to the house. The more you shoplift, the more chances of you getting your ass kicked and drug off to jail by the police. Think about this, most security are young guys who want to be cops. They are drooling at the chance to mess someone up. Just because you hit soft targets like Best Buy doesn't mean you are the master thief.

    Good luck to you and stop stealing.
  • 06-11-2011, 05:02 PM
    Security Consultant
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Would you believe Paul Stone of Best Buy has seen this thread?
  • 06-11-2011, 08:00 PM
    PandorasBox
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Your picture may even be hanging by the employee time clocks with a note "if you see this person in the store, contact LP immediately"

    While you think you are cute getting away with it now...wait til you get busted at a later date...at Best Buy or elsewhere....that little $40 item can cost you thousands of dollars. And if you have to job hunt after your conviction, you will not even be saying "Do you want fries with that" because they will not let you work the cash register...you will be lucky to be flipping burgers.
  • 06-11-2011, 08:22 PM
    bam!
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting Security Consultant
    View Post
    Would you believe Paul Stone of Best Buy has seen this thread?

    http://www.startribune.com/business/112223234.html


    This Paul Stone? Oh snap..the OP is screwed
  • 06-12-2011, 05:03 AM
    TBO
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Best Buy's camera system is shit. Trust me. I'd be quite surprised if you got caught on a camera. Just stop stealing, and don't be too surprised if something does happen within the year. Highly doubting it though, as most of the time theft not seen by LP is written off as shrink.
  • 06-12-2011, 08:32 AM
    Security Consultant
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Yes, he's the VP of Loss Prevention and Risk Management.
  • 06-12-2011, 03:11 PM
    cutlikeasurgeon
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    I would like to offer my apologies to those it may have offended, and I have contacted to store (which i will not name, really wasnt best buy but similar, to protect the identities of the parties involved) to resolve the issue as a matter of my own. The decision was very immature of me and i would like to thank you all for helping me realize the error of my ways. I can only pray that the manager will be understanding and work with me to move past the mistake.
    I would appreciate it if nobody replied to this comment as the issue has past.

    Thank you,
    -cutlikeasurgeon
  • 06-12-2011, 07:05 PM
    cutlikeasurgeon
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    As a resolution to the incident I met with the manager of the store and discussed the situation. He was impressed by my integrity and standing as a young man, I was even on the wrestling team at North High School with his son. He told me that since they would not have caught me if I never came in that I could keep the case, however, I would be detained and prosecuted by the law if I ever stepped foot in their store again. The terms have been agreed to by both parties and the issue has concluded.

    Further prosecution and/or attempts to contact me by third parties such as Best Buy Co., Inc. or firms such as Security Consulting Strategies, LLC (as represented by one user) will not be tolerated and may be taken as harassment by myself and the lawyers who represent me in a court of law.

    If you do represent Best Buy Co., Inc. and believe that the use of your company as a scapegoat in the ploy of this thread to hide the identity of the opposing party is a misrepresentation of your company's name I suggest that you contact this site to have this thread deleted.

    Thank you
  • 06-12-2011, 07:12 PM
    LawResearcherMissy
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    He told me that since they would not have caught me if I never came in that I could keep the case,
    Bovine excrement.

    Quote:

    Further prosecution and/or attempts to contact me by third parties such as Best Buy Co., Inc. or firms such as Security Consulting Strategies, LLC (as represented by one user) will not be tolerated and may be taken as harassment by myself and the lawyers who represent me in a court of law.
    No, sweetie, that's not how that works. If Best Buy wants to prosecute you, they still can. It's not harassment, it's called holding you accountable for the crimes you publicly confessed to. Best Buy isn't afraid of your fictional lawyer.

    Quote:

    If you do represent Best Buy Co., Inc. and believe that the use of your company as a scapegoat in the ploy of this thread to hide the identity of the opposing party is a misrepresentation of your company's name I suggest that you contact this site to have this thread deleted.
    No, that's not how it works, either.
  • 06-12-2011, 07:21 PM
    cutlikeasurgeon
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    i have never stolen anything from best buy, if you recall i may or may not have stolen anything from best buy. i never said i did, i left it open ended for this reason.
    and the issue is over i asked for no more comments a while back, i dont have time, interest, or the inclination to deal with you. so dont ever talk to me again, i already asked you once, i would appreciate the respect.
    i dont care how it works its how it happened.
  • 06-12-2011, 07:38 PM
    jk
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting cutlikeasurgeon
    View Post
    i have never stolen anything from best buy, if you recall i may or may not have stolen anything from best buy. i never said i did, i left it open ended for this reason.
    and the issue is over i asked for no more comments a while back, i dont have time, interest, or the inclination to deal with you. so dont ever talk to me again, i already asked you once, i would appreciate the respect.
    i dont care how it works its how it happened.

    sorry guy but you do not get to control who responds and who doesn't. Your are welcome to stop posting anytime you choose.
  • 06-12-2011, 07:38 PM
    bam!
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting cutlikeasurgeon
    View Post
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Minnesota

    I may or may not have lifted a case for my ipod ($40)from a best buy which is super busy. Nobody stopped me, though lots best buy employees offered help, as the always so. I walk right out of the store, past the AP guy who was watching the cameras. Im sure im on camera. I got in my car and drove out of the parking garage (publically owned). Would they look through all the film from that day, possibly see me, look at the garage film, get the plates, contact the police, and arrest me? All of a $40 item?

    Note: the angle of the camera does not allow for me to be seen exiting the garage but they could see me arrive. The plates are not in my name either.

    No other store like best buy has a setup like best buy..which you described.

    My thoughts are that you are scared shitless. Why did you post here anyway?
  • 06-12-2011, 07:43 PM
    cbg
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting cutlikeasurgeon
    View Post
    As a resolution to the incident I met with the manager of the store and discussed the situation. He was impressed by my integrity and standing as a young man, I was even on the wrestling team at North High School with his son. He told me that since they would not have caught me if I never came in that I could keep the case, however, I would be detained and prosecuted by the law if I ever stepped foot in their store again. The terms have been agreed to by both parties and the issue has concluded.

    Further prosecution and/or attempts to contact me by third parties such as Best Buy Co., Inc. or firms such as Security Consulting Strategies, LLC (as represented by one user) will not be tolerated and may be taken as harassment by myself and the lawyers who represent me in a court of law.

    If you do represent Best Buy Co., Inc. and believe that the use of your company as a scapegoat in the ploy of this thread to hide the identity of the opposing party is a misrepresentation of your company's name I suggest that you contact this site to have this thread deleted.

    Thank you

    Okay, I'll be the one to come right out and say it.

    Liar.
  • 06-12-2011, 08:18 PM
    LawResearcherMissy
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    My thoughts are that you are scared shitless.
    ...and a super bad liar.
  • 06-13-2011, 05:19 AM
    cyjeff
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting cutlikeasurgeon
    View Post
    As a resolution to the incident I met with the manager of the store and discussed the situation. He was impressed by my integrity and standing as a young man, I was even on the wrestling team at North High School with his son. He told me that since they would not have caught me if I never came in that I could keep the case, however, I would be detained and prosecuted by the law if I ever stepped foot in their store again. The terms have been agreed to by both parties and the issue has concluded.

    Yeah, that's crap. About three shades.

    No store manager will tell a thief that not only would he have never been caught but that he can keep the stuff he has already stolen. I guess this is the only store manager on the planet that isn't comp'ed on his P&L. Combined, this means that the store manager told the young thief, "thank you for your theft. Please come back and steal again."

    Quote:

    Further prosecution and/or attempts to contact me by third parties such as Best Buy Co., Inc. or firms such as Security Consulting Strategies, LLC (as represented by one user) will not be tolerated and may be taken as harassment by myself and the lawyers who represent me in a court of law.
    Tolerated by who? Again, more crap.

    I tell you what. When the best buy LP shows up, make sure you call the police to report the harassment. That would be fun.

    I agree you need a lawyer.

    Quote:

    If you do represent Best Buy Co., Inc. and believe that the use of your company as a scapegoat in the ploy of this thread to hide the identity of the opposing party is a misrepresentation of your company's name I suggest that you contact this site to have this thread deleted.
    And I suggest you stop pretending. Bragging isn't as much fun when you realize you just admitted to a felony, huh? Yup, repeated and preplanned thefts can be combined into a felony.

    You don't have any more stolen stuff just laying around, do you?

    Quote:

    Thank you
    No, thank you.

    So, in review. You are lying about even talking to the store manager, what best buy can do to you now (though I have to say ... basically telling best buy through this thread that trying to arrest a shoplifter is harassment is interesting... complete crap - and certainly nothing a store manager would tell you) and even the store you were in.

    You just aren't nearly as smart as you think you are.

    One more point... best buys typically have very good cameras.
  • 06-13-2011, 06:20 AM
    TBO
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting TBO
    View Post
    Best Buy's camera system is shit. Trust me. I'd be quite surprised if you got caught on a camera. Just stop stealing, and don't be too surprised if something does happen within the year. Highly doubting it though, as most of the time theft not seen by LP is written off as shrink.

    I'm going to go ahead and rescind this. I found out what store this theft took place from, and the camera system there is different than the ones in my area.
  • 06-13-2011, 10:23 PM
    cyjeff
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    Quote:

    Quoting TBO
    View Post
    I'm going to go ahead and rescind this. I found out what store this theft took place from, and the camera system there is different than the ones in my area.

    You want to know the funny part of this statement? BB likes for folks to THINK they don't have excellent cameras. Maybe they like the look on the thieves faces.
  • 06-15-2011, 01:45 AM
    TBO
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    As someone who has had close ties to BBY, I can assure you that the camera systems vary wildly from store to store and area to area. They appear the same, but certain stores have a large number of real cameras, while some have more decoys. The store he is referencing has ALL real cameras, due to the high shrink rate. They have been informed of this post and are looking into it.
  • 06-15-2011, 08:15 AM
    PandorasBox
    Re: The Pursuit of Shoplifters
    I once worked a seasonal job at a BB. They had me cover front-door breaks a few times. That store had an awesome system, I was watching atleast 7 monitors.
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