Price Tag Swap

My question involves criminal law for the state of: A friend & I wouldn't consider this shoplifting but we were inside a department store and we changed the price tag of the shirt from $24 to a $5 we managed to buy three shirts however we had to go up stairs far away from the clothing department . However we went to get two more and as we were paying for the item the people at the cashier switched and there was an undercover cop she didn't say anything to him but he was studying my face. I said its fine I don't need the item and then happy holidays as I walked out I realized he was following us. So it's obvious they caught on but he didn't manage to find either of us my worries is what will be my penalty I'm not that far from 18 and I don't want to get banned this was the first time I ever did such a thing and I wouldn't ever do it again I was also on camera but I never looked directly at it or did anything it was my friend who did the swap. Please help me and happy thanks giving everyone

What stte are you in.

And WHY wouldn't you consider this shoplifting?

It is Retail Theft.

What should I do though
I already decided not to go back for the next three months or so

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I didn't think It was because I never done such a thing and it's in New York macys

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Quoting Scns

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What should I do though

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You should STOP stealing, and stay OUT of Macy's. For good, on both counts.

First and last time and I guess I shouldn't have done it in a store I've gone to all my life but if I don't go I'll be fine right ? Thank you

Stop stealing. This is not the "how do I justify breaking the law and stealing from people forum."

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Quoting flyingron

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Stop stealing. This is not the "how do I justify breaking the law and stealing from people forum."

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I will I just want to be sure if I'm good or not I'll just settle for shopping online from now on so I can refrain from doing such stupidity

They have your image on camera, I can promise you that. And I can promise you that every Macy's in the country has that image on their computers. Oh...and there is Facial Recognition software in a lot of stores, so don't step foot into Macy's for a few years.

And yes, it is always possible for a cop to come knocking on your door.

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Quoting PandorasBox

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They have your image on camera, I can promise you that. And I can promise you that every Macy's in the country has that image on their computers. Oh...and there is Facial Recognition software in a lot of stores, so don't step foot into Macy's for a few years.

And yes, it is always possible for a cop to come knocking on your door.

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Do you know any way I can possibly get out of this whole predicament

Without a time machine?

They have 1-2 years (varies by state) to press charges.

You should have thought of consequences before your actions. As of now, you can only hold your breath for a year or so, and learn your lesson.

When you swap price tags....you are shoplifting. You are depriving the store of it's earnings; you are raising prices for all the innocent people who pay the honest price.

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Quoting Scns

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Do you know any way I can possibly get out of this whole predicament

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Yes, just tell them what you told us - you're 17 and you had absolutely no idea that switching price tags on merchandise in order to pay a lower price was wrong and/or illegal. They're sure to believe you (just like we did), it's like soooo obvious that anyone could make it almost to adulthood without knowing this duh.