Switching a Price Tag

Hi,
I got a call from my friend today. He went to Marshalls and switched price tags for an item and thus payed cheaper. He did it for the first time in his life. He didn't get caught or suspected at the moment of purchase.
However, now he's in panic that he will get caught later. He paid with his credit card...
So, the question is: how likely is it that the store will notice the switch and track him down? How long can it take for the store to press charges?

Also, that store is extremely crowded every day and it's quite messy, lots of items in the wrong places or without boxes etc

You ever watch Animal Planet and see the hounds treeing a cougar?

That's what's going to happen to your friend.

The store has until the statute of limitations runs in your friend's unnamed state. I doubt anything will come of this unless it was a very expensive item. Tell your friend to stop stealing and to stay out of Marshall's for a while, just in case.

Tell him to consider his temporary paranoia punishment for his crimes.

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Quoting protege8moi

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So, the question is: how likely is it that the store will notice the switch and track him down?

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50%, +/- 50%. Until your friend finds a bona fide psychic, he'll have to wait for time to answer that question.

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Quoting protege8moi

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How long can it take for the store to press charges?

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The statute of limitations varies by state. In some states the statute of limitations might be as short as one year; at the other extreme, some states have no statute of limitations for crimes.

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Quoting free9man

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The store has until the statute of limitations runs in your friend's unnamed state. I doubt anything will come of this unless it was a very expensive item. Tell your friend to stop stealing and to stay out of Marshall's for a while, just in case.

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A far as I know the item was around 160$ and he payed 50$ for it. Also, both of the switched tags were from items of the same brand.

Well he swears to never steal again... Considering the amount of guilt and regret, I doubt he'll do it again.

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Quoting Mr. Knowitall

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50%, +/- 50%. Until your friend finds a bona fide psychic, he'll have to wait for time to answer that question.

The statute of limitations varies by state. In some states the statute of limitations might be as short as one year; at the other extreme, some states have no statute of limitations for crimes.

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Oh come one...name on state that has no statue of limitations for shoplifting...or some kind of crime like this...seriously? The only thing that any state has no statute of limitations for is murder.

I suggest he move to Alaska or Hawaii to avoid extradition.:wallbang:

Preliminary question for you: Are you "the friend?" Secondly, EVIDENCE is all which matters and you neglected to specify in which location of the store the crime transpired. Put different, because it would be illegal for Marshalls to surveil the fitting rooms, and provided "your friend" committed the offense in said rooms, no evidence that "your friend" performed the tag switch exists. Just because your friend purchased something with a switched price tag doesn't suggest they are the one whom switched it. You've informed us that in fact they did commit the offense, but what I'm submitting to you is that in terms of a defense, the most vital element to examine is "WHERE" the offense occurred. If in an aisle in the store, video evidence presumably captured it. If in a fitting room, tell you're friend they can calm down, nothing will result from this, except perhaps a newly found set of ethics and reform.

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Quoting prelaw

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Preliminary question for you: Are you "the friend?" Secondly, EVIDENCE is all which matters and you neglected to specify in which location of the store the crime transpired. Put different, because it would be illegal for Marshalls to surveil the fitting rooms, and provided "your friend" committed the offense in said rooms, no evidence that "your friend" performed the tag switch exists. Just because your friend purchased something with a switched price tag doesn't suggest they are the one whom switched it. You've informed us that in fact they did commit the offense, but what I'm submitting to you is that in terms of a defense, the most vital element to examine is "WHERE" the offense occurred. If in an aisle in the store, video evidence presumably captured it. If in a fitting room, tell you're friend they can calm down, nothing will result from this, except perhaps a newly found set of ethics and reform.

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They most certainly can conduct physical surveillance on the fitting rooms. Depending on the skill of the thief, it is possible to get a ticket switching case from the fitting rooms. No video needed.

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Quoting free9man

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They most certainly can conduct physical surveillance on the fitting rooms. Depending on the skill of the thief, it is possible to get a ticket switching case from the fitting rooms. No video needed.

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Please clarify why it would be legal to have surveillance in the fitting rooms? Following this premise, it is conceivable that owners can place surveillance in female bathrooms? You can't identify privacy legalities from this circumstance? My aim is to try and illustrate that if fitting rooms were not monitored, in direct sight of a consumer changing, than evidence is lacking. It's all about the evidence, my friend.

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I erred in reading your note, I apologize. I failed to specify which method of surveillance.