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Stealing by Eating Food in a Grocery Store

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  • 03-25-2012, 11:47 PM
    hbear91
    Stealing by Eating Food in a Grocery Store
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Washington

    I was shopping at a grocery store and decided to eat out of the bulk bins. I wanted to try one of the candy pieces in a mix, so I put one scoop into a bag, ate the three chocolate pieces I wanted to try, and threw the rest away in the garbage can (we're talking like a few peanuts and some raisins). I purchased the rest of my groceries and was approached after leaving the store about the eaten food. I cooperated, admitted it was wrong, etc. The total charges came to be around $9.

    I am from out out state and did not provided my diver's license number or SSN. The guy also didn't take my license plate because I had a rental car. I did give them a school-issued ID from Wisconsin, my phone number and address. I signed the "trespassing" paper and another one about the shoplifting and was told I would be mailed a citation to pay the $9 plus a $200 fee to the store. I'm not justifying what I did was okay. I wanted to pay the $9 right there, but $200 seems pretty steep for this 'crime.' They guy told me if I don't pay it, there will be a warrant for my arrest, but I was skeptical given that he didn't even have my driver's license number or SSN. What are your thoughts? No police, out of state, less than $10, and no driver's license, plate number or SSN on file. (They do have a photo copy of an expired school-issued ID) Is it feasible to save myself $200 and never eat out of the bins again?

    Thanks a bunch in advance for your advice.
  • 03-26-2012, 05:04 AM
    PTPD22
    Re: Less Than $10 of Eaten Food at Grocerty Store, Did Not Give Driver's License or S
    They have all the information they need to know who you are and track you down. If you decide to ignore the civil demand, yes a warrant will be issued for your arrest. Will anyone try to serve that warrant on you in another state? No. As long as you stay out of Washington, you can probably elude any criminal consequences forever.

    However, there are other ways. The company will go after you civilly and, if you refuse to pay, seriously damage your credit. They may even be able to garnish income. The court can also suspend your driving privilege in Washington for unpaid fines. The Washington DOL will report this to your home state, who may also suspend your license or refuse to renew your license until you meet those obligations. Is skipping out on $200 for this crime (yes, theft is a crime, not a “crime”) really worth it to you?
  • 03-26-2012, 06:57 AM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Less Than $10 of Eaten Food at Grocerty Store, Did Not Give Driver's License or S
    Quote:

    Quoting PTPD22
    View Post
    If you decide to ignore the civil demand, yes a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

    That's quite an overstatement. The civil demand is not associated with a criminal prosecution, and in many cases is processed by an outside agency or out of the corporate office. Not paying a civil demand can inspire a store to turn over its file to a prosecutor, but it's a far cry from the automatic issuance of an arrest warrant.
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