Claiming a Scanner Error After Getting Caught Stealing

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas

So the story go's I was in Wal-mart and went through the self check-out lane. I scanned some stuff and some stuff I didn't. I had 4 small things (total cost according to LP at wal-mart was 51$). I paid with my debit card, and went to talk out. The door greeter actually stopped me (never has happened before). I handed her my receipt she reached in a bag and pulled out something I didn't pay for. I told her oh it must not have scanned, and I told her to just keep it, that I didn't have time to go back to the check out. I grabbed my receipt from her hand and walked out the store. I went to my car, and started putting stuff in. Then 2 guys walked up in long sleeve shirts with Wal-Mart and asked to see my receipt again. I told them "look the lady at the door was rude to me, something didn't scan so I just gave it to her. I don't have time to go wait in line to buy that one thing." The manager looking guy said "well let me see your receipt" and picked it out of my hand. He then started looking in the bags of stuff I had still in the buggy. The one bag of stuff I had that was not paid for was still in the buggy. Everything I had put in the car already I paid for. He looked in that back and said "none of this stuff is on your receipt" I told him, well it must have not scanned but you can keep it I don't have time for yalls bs and I don't have time to go back in and pay. He told me that I needed to take al the bags out of my car and come back into the store so he could go through them. I shut my door, then opened my front door. I started my car and yelled " I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS SHIT" I put the car in reverse and left. I could see him writing down my license plate number.
When I got home I was freaking out. I decided to call Wal-mart. I talked to the dude on the phone that was outside and told him that I didn't have anything I did not pay for. He claimed to have me on camera stealing more and that I needed to come back up there so he could fill out paper work. He said that the cops where there. He knew my name and was calling my by it (I assume from the use of my debit card). He also said that the car I was in wasn't mine and he knew that her name was Jessica. I told him that I didn't have anything that I did not pay for at all and I knew he was lieing about having me on camera. I told him I was being truthful to him and that he should be truthful to me. He still insisted that I had items. I told I would send someone up there to pay for the items that were not paid for, and that they could just keep the crap. He then told me that it was 51$ worth and it didnt matter, that the cops were already there. I asked him if wal-mart was pressing charges and he avoided the question. His response was that he turned over the information to the police and that they would deal with it. He told me that if he ever saw me in the store he would call them and have me arrested for trespassing (I have already been warned off wal-mart property from a prior offense.) I wasn't sure to believe him if the cops where there or not. So I rode up there on my motorcycle and verified that their was a patrol car there.



My question-
1- If they would have pressed charges should he have said that they where instead of beating around the bush and trying to get me to come back up to the store?

2- I don't think what I stole was 51$ I think it came out to be like 48$. I think he inflated the price on items to make it a class B, or he just told me that it was 51$ to scare me up. Was that legal? And if he did inflate the price to the police what could happen?

3- No police officer tried to contact me, no one came to my house, no one came to the house where the car was registered (girlfriends). I called the police dept, and asked if there was an arrest warrant for me. They ran my info and said that there was nothing. Nothing has showed up anywhere at all about in in our county database search or by calling the police. How long would it take for something like this to be issued and show up If charges where filed.

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Quoting killa_justin

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My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas

So the story go's I was in Wal-mart and went through the self check-out lane. I scanned some stuff and some stuff I didn't. I had 4 small things (total cost according to LP at wal-mart was 51$). I paid with my debit card, and went to talk out. The door greeter actually stopped me (never has happened before). I handed her my receipt she reached in a bag and pulled out something I didn't pay for. I told her oh it must not have scanned, and I told her to just keep it, that I didn't have time to go back to the check out. I grabbed my receipt from her hand and walked out the store. I went to my car, and started putting stuff in. Then 2 guys walked up in long sleeve shirts with Wal-Mart and asked to see my receipt again. I told them "look the lady at the door was rude to me, something didn't scan so I just gave it to her. I don't have time to go wait in line to buy that one thing." The manager looking guy said "well let me see your receipt" and picked it out of my hand. He then started looking in the bags of stuff I had still in the buggy. The one bag of stuff I had that was not paid for was still in the buggy. Everything I had put in the car already I paid for. He looked in that back and said "none of this stuff is on your receipt" I told him, well it must have not scanned but you can keep it I don't have time for yalls bs and I don't have time to go back in and pay. He told me that I needed to take al the bags out of my car and come back into the store so he could go through them. I shut my door, then opened my front door. I started my car and yelled " I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS SHIT" I put the car in reverse and left. I could see him writing down my license plate number.
When I got home I was freaking out. I decided to call Wal-mart. I talked to the dude on the phone that was outside and told him that I didn't have anything I did not pay for. He claimed to have me on camera stealing more and that I needed to come back up there so he could fill out paper work. He said that the cops where there. He knew my name and was calling my by it (I assume from the use of my debit card). He also said that the car I was in wasn't mine and he knew that her name was Jessica. I told him that I didn't have anything that I did not pay for at all and I knew he was lieing about having me on camera. I told him I was being truthful to him and that he should be truthful to me. He still insisted that I had items. I told I would send someone up there to pay for the items that were not paid for, and that they could just keep the crap. He then told me that it was 51$ worth and it didnt matter, that the cops were already there. I asked him if wal-mart was pressing charges and he avoided the question. His response was that he turned over the information to the police and that they would deal with it. He told me that if he ever saw me in the store he would call them and have me arrested for trespassing (I have already been warned off wal-mart property from a prior offense.) I wasn't sure to believe him if the cops where there or not. So I rode up there on my motorcycle and verified that their was a patrol car there.



My question-
1- If they would have pressed charges should he have said that they where instead of beating around the bush and trying to get me to come back up to the store?

2- I don't think what I stole was 51$ I think it came out to be like 48$. I think he inflated the price on items to make it a class B, or he just told me that it was 51$ to scare me up. Was that legal? And if he did inflate the price to the police what could happen?

3- No police officer tried to contact me, no one came to my house, no one came to the house where the car was registered (girlfriends). I called the police dept, and asked if there was an arrest warrant for me. They ran my info and said that there was nothing. Nothing has showed up anywhere at all about in in our county database search or by calling the police. How long would it take for something like this to be issued and show up If charges where filed.

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1 ~ No.

2 ~ Yes and you are an idiot for doing what you did

3 ~ No yet. Wait it out.

It is because of people like you who are so arrogant to believe that they don't have to pay for things that our prices are as high as they are. Sometimes I wish an eye for an eye was the standard - I'm jes sayin.

Thanks for your input. I understand your last comment there, but I do not appreciate it. I already feel bad enough for not only doing something so stupid, but something that jeopardizes my job and my family's livelihood. I did not come here for someone to tell me how stupid I am and degrade me, I feel degraded as it as and already realize what I did was stupid. I am looking for some advice.

This a public forum. Maybe the Walmart LP at the Troupe or Broadway location will see this and take action? You never know.

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Quoting Security Consultant

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This a public forum. Maybe the Walmart LP at the Troupe or Broadway location will see this and take action? You never know.

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What do you mean take action? They already know what happened. They stopped me, I called them on the phone, they already know my name. I know they called the police, I saw the police sitting there in front of the store. I am just trying to find out what to expect.

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Quoting killa_justin

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Thanks for your input. I understand your last comment there, but I do not appreciate it. I already feel bad enough for not only doing something so stupid, but something that jeopardizes my job and my family's livelihood. I did not come here for someone to tell me how stupid I am and degrade me, I feel degraded as it as and already realize what I did was stupid. I am looking for some advice.

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You got advice. My other comments are just the cherry on top. In fact if you didn't want the extra commentary you could have paid for your advice. Oh wait, forget that, you don't pay for that kind of stuff anyway, stealing and freebies are more your nature:rolleyes:

The cops can certainly start knocking on your door. Or your friends door. Or a letter with a court summons in the mail.

I'd call around too a few Criminal Defense Attorneys have make sure to have one on speed dial. $1500 is a good starting price.

Once they arrest you....it will be noted that you were uncooperative with store LP. And yes, the prosecutor and judge will take that into consideration.

And yes, it can jeopardize your job options for YEARS. You will be lucky to flip burgers at McD's if you are let go from your job. Yes, a criminal record can affect things like getting an apartment, many communities do not want thieves.....if you plan on going to college or have a degree, yep....certain careers do not want thieves....

- - - Updated - - -

PS: One scanning error is one thing....multiple items...good luck explaining that one.

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I knew he was lieing about having me on camera.

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Oh, don't bet on that. I have been in a security room at a Walmart. There were walls covered with video recorders with each one connected to a camera. Way more cameras than one would ever imagine. Just because you see a dozen or so doesn't mean there aren't a couple hundred in places you do not see them.




and lying to the people at Walmart isn't going to help you. You said they saw the merchandise you stole.

You are actually lucky there are not some sort of criminal charges for endangerment since they were likely quite close to your car when you whipped out of the parking space and took off.

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1- If they would have pressed charges should he have said that they where instead of beating around the bush and trying to get me to come back up to the store?

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probably trying to make their job easier

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2- I don't think what I stole was 51$ I think it came out to be like 48$. I think he inflated the price on items to make it a class B, or he just told me that it was 51$ to scare me up. Was that legal? And if he did inflate the price to the police what could happen?

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$2 isn't going to make any difference

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3- No police officer tried to contact me, no one came to my house, no one came to the house where the car was registered (girlfriends).

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yet

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I called the police dept, and asked if there was an arrest warrant for me. They ran my info and said that there was nothing.

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do you seriously believe they tell everybody they are trying to catch if there is a warrant?

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How long would it take for something like this to be issued and show up If charges where filed.

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it's not about how long it would take to show up if they file charges. It's; how long do they have to file charges. I have not looked it up but I have little hesitation saying it as about a year.

well how did the guy know who owned the car? If he got that information from the police, the police just violated the federal drivers privacy act law, a serious offense.

As for your charges, they have plenty of time to file. I would not go back to that store or any other branch.

Whether you appreciate it or not is actually irrelevant. The truth is you are a habitual thief who finally was caught. No one can degrade you any more than you have done to yourself over the years. In fact, every day, when you look in the mirror waiting for that doorbell to ring, you should apologize to your family, for the reflection you present of them to the world.

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Quoting killa_justin

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Thanks for your input. I understand your last comment there, but I do not appreciate it. I already feel bad enough for not only doing something so stupid, but something that jeopardizes my job and my family's livelihood. I did not come here for someone to tell me how stupid I am and degrade me, I feel degraded as it as and already realize what I did was stupid. I am looking for some advice.

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Quoting killa_justin

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My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas

So the story go's I was in Wal-mart and went through the self check-out lane. I scanned some stuff and some stuff I didn't. I had 4 small things (total cost according to LP at wal-mart was 51$). I paid with my debit card, and went to talk out. The door greeter actually stopped me (never has happened before). I handed her my receipt she reached in a bag and pulled out something I didn't pay for. I told her oh it must not have scanned, and I told her to just keep it, that I didn't have time to go back to the check out. I grabbed my receipt from her hand and walked out the store. I went to my car, and started putting stuff in. Then 2 guys walked up in long sleeve shirts with Wal-Mart and asked to see my receipt again. I told them "look the lady at the door was rude to me, something didn't scan so I just gave it to her. I don't have time to go wait in line to buy that one thing." The manager looking guy said "well let me see your receipt" and picked it out of my hand. He then started looking in the bags of stuff I had still in the buggy. The one bag of stuff I had that was not paid for was still in the buggy. Everything I had put in the car already I paid for. He looked in that back and said "none of this stuff is on your receipt" I told him, well it must have not scanned but you can keep it I don't have time for yalls bs and I don't have time to go back in and pay. He told me that I needed to take al the bags out of my car and come back into the store so he could go through them. I shut my door, then opened my front door. I started my car and yelled " I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS SHIT" I put the car in reverse and left. I could see him writing down my license plate number.
When I got home I was freaking out. I decided to call Wal-mart. I talked to the dude on the phone that was outside and told him that I didn't have anything I did not pay for. He claimed to have me on camera stealing more and that I needed to come back up there so he could fill out paper work. He said that the cops where there. He knew my name and was calling my by it (I assume from the use of my debit card). He also said that the car I was in wasn't mine and he knew that her name was Jessica. I told him that I didn't have anything that I did not pay for at all and I knew he was lieing about having me on camera. I told him I was being truthful to him and that he should be truthful to me. He still insisted that I had items. I told I would send someone up there to pay for the items that were not paid for, and that they could just keep the crap. He then told me that it was 51$ worth and it didnt matter, that the cops were already there. I asked him if wal-mart was pressing charges and he avoided the question. His response was that he turned over the information to the police and that they would deal with it. He told me that if he ever saw me in the store he would call them and have me arrested for trespassing (I have already been warned off wal-mart property from a prior offense.) I wasn't sure to believe him if the cops where there or not. So I rode up there on my motorcycle and verified that their was a patrol car there.



My question-
1- If they would have pressed charges should he have said that they where instead of beating around the bush and trying to get me to come back up to the store?

2- I don't think what I stole was 51$ I think it came out to be like 48$. I think he inflated the price on items to make it a class B, or he just told me that it was 51$ to scare me up. Was that legal? And if he did inflate the price to the police what could happen?

3- No police officer tried to contact me, no one came to my house, no one came to the house where the car was registered (girlfriends). I called the police dept, and asked if there was an arrest warrant for me. They ran my info and said that there was nothing. Nothing has showed up anywhere at all about in in our county database search or by calling the police. How long would it take for something like this to be issued and show up If charges where filed.

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I am just going to say that your whole story screams that you do this a lot and cause a tantrum when anyone calls you out. You knew what you were doing, and the WalMart LP and manager knew your exact type playing this 'I aint got time for that/I don't understand how technology works' scam. You by definition of the law, stole, and stole a lot. The cameras have you pretending to scan. They even have systems to flag people whose movements are running a scam on the u-scan machines. If you think that what you did was clever, it's not and they are cracking down on these scan it yourself schemes thieves are coming up with. I suggest not doing it again, and paying for EVERYTHING so other people don't have to pick up the tab for your scummy ways of living off the backs of others. Now onto your questions:

1) He doesn't have to tell you or guess what upper management will be doing with the complaint. I'm pretty sure they will press charges and have a civil demand mailed to you soon. I don't think going back to the store would have changed much other than it may look better in court later on that even though you fled the scene, you came back later to acknowledge what you did.

2) For some reason I doubt this manager guy is going to inflate the prices by a few dollars to try screw you over when it has just as much possibility of screwing WalMart over later for making up facts. You must be a pretty regular thief to know that your stolen items were just under the legal amount of a Class B theft charge.

3) The police are unlikely to contact or visit you over a minor theft charge. They have much better things to do with their time then show up at your place hoping you will be there. The county police department may take some time to get this bench warrant in the system, but it will show up soon in the county you broke the law. I would imagine you have up to a week before anything shows up.

Lastly, I would like to point out. I know you think everyone is as stupid as you, but they're not. You not only didn't scan one item which the greeter found as you left, you had a whole bag of items up to $51 that you incorrectly or forgot to scan. I have never once forgot to scan a single item that I bagged, and even when there are errors scanning, the machines alert you by weight of the scanned items for almost all items except maybe something from the specialty departments(bakery meat, secondary store). You were running some sort of easily detectable scam to steal from the store and got embarrassed when they called you out, not once, but twice.

Start saving your money, because all that thieving you've been doing it going to cost you BIG TIME.

^ I like this poster!

Every register at WM has a camera backed up by pan-tilt-zoom cameras. On every register they can tell if you scan an item or not. There is a detection device that shows them. I'm not going to go into detail about the safeguards in place as I don't want to give the thieves any ideas. The last WM I had to a review on had 106 cameras throughout the store.