Store May Have Taken Down My License Plate After I Stole

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Massachusetts
I recently shoplifted clothing from a fitting room from a large retail company, (probably more than $150) biggest mistake, I will never shoplift again. I don't think I was seen on camera...I left the store and nobody said anything to me. But, when I got to my car a guy was on the phone and looking at my license plate and on the phone. If they got down my information from my license plate how will they find me and what will happen to me? How long will it take them to find me? What are the chances they will come find me, or do they have better things to do? If they come to my house can they search it? and do they have cameras in the fitting room? I'm over the age of 18 by the way. AND For people who are thinking about shoplifting DON'T do it, I'll never do it again in my life its not worth it! I'm so scared and ashamed of myself.

are you always paranoid?


If they have proof of your shoplifting and if the guy on the phone actually worked for the store and he actually got your license plate number, that can be used to find you, or at least the registered owner of the car.

Nobody can say how long it would take or how long the police would take to contact you.

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What are the chances they will come find me, or do they have better things to do?

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what better things? The police live to arrest criminals. After all, that is basically what they do for a living.

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If they come to my house can they search it?

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if you let them or they have a search warrant, yes

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and do they have cameras in the fitting room?

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it's not likely but it isn't impossible.

well there was a police that was called for shoplifting at the same store, i looked online, and it was when i was in the store. if it was me wouldn't they have stopped me when I walked out? Also, do you have to be seen on camera putting things in your bag to be prosecuted? and yes im always paranoid I feel so bad, I'm actually debating to return the things but I know that wouldn't be a good idea. If this is my first offense of shoplifting is it likely that ill just have fines? if they call the police do they have to do something about it? cuz ive heard cases where the police just ignore it.

If the store has enough information to identify you and they are willing to sign a complaint seeking to have you charged with shoplifting, it would be a matter of time before you receive a call or even a summons to appear in court.

You do not have to be seen on camera but they would have to be able to have proof or testimony of a witness attesting to the facts of your crime.


Many states have diversion programs available for first time offenders. Whether that would be applicable to you would be something you would want to explore with your attorney if you are charged with a crime.


If you decide to return the stuff, it does not mean you could not be charged with the crime. You cannot "undo" a crime.

what are the chances that a police officer will show up at my door and ill be arrested?
I know what I did was wrong and I'm ready to face what is going to happen, if anything does, I just don't want my parents to find out because technically I am an adult and I'm going to have to deal with it on my own.
How long do those papers usually take to be signed and then you be notified?
Thanks for your help!

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland

I recently shoplifted clothing from a fitting room from a large retail company, Macys, (probably more than $150) biggest mistake, I will never shoplift again. I don't think I was seen on camera...I left the store and nobody said anything to me. But, when I got to my car a guy was on the phone and looking at my license plate and on the phone. If they got down my information from my license plate how will they find me and what will happen to me? How long will it take them to find me? What are the chances they will come find me, or do they have better things to do? If they come to my house can they search it? and do they have cameras in the fitting room? I'm over the age of 18 by the way. AND For people who are thinking about shoplifting DON'T do it, I'll never do it again in my life its not worth it! I'm so scared and ashamed of myself...well there was a police that was called for shoplifting at the same store, i looked online, and it was when i was in the store. if it was me wouldn't they have stopped me when I walked out? Also, do you have to be seen on camera putting things in your bag to be prosecuted? and yes im always paranoid

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Flordia
I recently shoplifted clothing from a fitting room from a large retail company, (probably more than $150) biggest mistake, I will never shoplift again. I don't think I was seen on camera...I left the store and nobody said anything to me. But, when I got to my car a guy was on the phone and looking at my license plate and on the phone. If they got down my information from my license plate how will they find me and what will happen to me? How long will it take them to find me? What are the chances they will come find me, or do they have better things to do? If they come to my house can they search it? and do they have cameras in the fitting room? I'm over the age of 18 by the way. AND For people who are thinking about shoplifting DON'T do it, I'll never do it again in my life its not worth it! I'm so scared and ashamed of myself. what are the chances that a police officer will show up at my door and ill be arrested? I know what I did was wrong and I'm ready to face what is going to happen, if anything does, I just don't want my parents to find out because technically I am an adult and I'm going to have to deal with it on my own. How long do those papers usually take to be signed and then you be notified? well there was a police that was called for shoplifting at the same store, i looked online, and it was when i was in the store. if it was me wouldn't they have stopped me when I walked out? Also, do you have to be seen on camera putting things in your bag to be prosecuted? and yes im always paranoid I feel so bad, I'm actually debating to return the things but I know that wouldn't be a good idea. If this is my first offense of shoplifting is it likely that ill just have fines? if they call the police do they have to do something about it?

For the state of Arizona
I recently shoplifted clothing from a fitting room from a large retail company, (probably more than $150) biggest mistake, I will never shoplift again. I don't think I was seen on camera...I left the store and nobody said anything to me. But, when I got to my car a guy was on the phone and looking at my license plate and on the phone. If they got down my information from my license plate how will they find me and what will happen to me? How long will it take them to find me? What are the chances they will come find me, or do they have better things to do? If they come to my house can they search it? and do they have cameras in the fitting room? I'm over the age of 18 by the way. AND For people who are thinking about shoplifting DON'T do it, I'll never do it again in my life its not worth it! I'm so scared and ashamed of myself. what are the chances that a police officer will show up at my door and ill be arrested? I know what I did was wrong and I'm ready to face what is going to happen, if anything does, I just don't want my parents to find out because technically I am an adult and I'm going to have to deal with it on my own. How long do those papers usually take to be signed and then you be notified? well there was a police that was called for shoplifting at the same store, i looked online, and it was when i was in the store. if it was me wouldn't they have stopped me when I walked out? Also, do you have to be seen on camera putting things in your bag to be prosecuted? and yes im always paranoid I feel so bad, I'm actually debating to return the things but I know that wouldn't be a good idea. If this is my first offense of shoplifting is it likely that ill just have fines? if they call the police do they have to do something about it?

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Vermont
I recently shoplifted clothing from a fitting room from a large retail company, Sears, (probably more than $150) biggest mistake, I will never shoplift again. I don't think I was seen on camera...I left the store and nobody said anything to me. But, when I got to my car a guy was on the phone and looking at my license plate and on the phone. If they got down my information from my license plate how will they find me and what will happen to me? How long will it take them to find me? What are the chances they will come find me, or do they have better things to do? If they come to my house can they search it? and do they have cameras in the fitting room? I'm over the age of 18 by the way. AND For people who are thinking about shoplifting DON'T do it, I'll never do it again in my life its not worth it! I'm so scared and ashamed of myself. what are the chances that a police officer will show up at my door and ill be arrested? I know what I did was wrong and I'm ready to face what is going to happen, if anything does, I just don't want my parents to find out because technically I am an adult and I'm going to have to deal with it on my own. How long do those papers usually take to be signed and then you be notified? well there was a police that was called for shoplifting at the same store, i looked online, and it was when i was in the store. if it was me wouldn't they have stopped me when I walked out? Also, do you have to be seen on camera putting things in your bag to be prosecuted? and yes im always paranoid I feel so bad, I'm actually debating to return the things but I know that wouldn't be a good idea. If this is my first offense of shoplifting is it likely that ill just have fines? if they call the police do they have to do something about it?

For the love of freakin' Pete, this is a volunteer board. Post your question ONCE. Someone will answer when they get around to it. This may be the most important thing in your life, but to us you're just one in a long line of thieves who are suddenly remorseful once they think they're caught. Stop spamming the board with the same question, already.