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Will You Be Caught for a Shoplifting Spree if Not Detained at the Time

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  • 05-10-2017, 09:23 PM
    sabrinarose1124
    Will You Be Caught for a Shoplifting Spree if Not Detained at the Time
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: New Jersey

    Hi everyone,
    I've never in this kind of event but my friend and I were at the mall going to a couple of stores. All the stores had cameras but the employees were not paying attention to us or suspecting anything. My friend and I took jewelry from stores like Charlotte Russe, H&M, Forever 21, and American Eagle. We took the jewelry to the fitting rooms and took the tags off and put them in our bag and walked out after. I bought a pair of pants at Forever 21 and I used my debit card because I didn't have cash. My question is will we get caught in the future? We don't plan on returning to that mall or the store anytime soon but we're both extremely paranoid that we're going to get caught somehow.
  • 05-10-2017, 10:27 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: I'm Getting Paranoid and I'm Terrified
    Quote:

    Quoting sabrinarose1124
    View Post
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: New Jersey

    Hi everyone,
    I've never in this kind of event but my friend and I were at the mall going to a couple of stores. All the stores had cameras but the employees were not paying attention to us or suspecting anything. My friend and I took jewelry from stores like Charlotte Russe, H&M, Forever 21, and American Eagle. We took the jewelry to the fitting rooms and took the tags off and put them in our bag and walked out after. I bought a pair of pants at Forever 21 and I used my debit card because I didn't have cash. My question is will we get caught in the future? We don't plan on returning to that mall or the store anytime soon but we're both extremely paranoid that we're going to get caught somehow.

    The last sentence should read, "We don't plan on stealing anything ever again ... ".

    Outside of that, we don't have a crystal ball. Chances are you didn't get caught but there's no way we can know one way or the other.
  • 05-10-2017, 10:31 PM
    Who'sThatGuy
    Re: I'm Getting Paranoid and I'm Terrified
    I would't worry about it at this point. If they do look at yesterdays recorded footage and spot you and then see you pay with a debit card or credit card, they would then have your name and address. But I don't think they look at old footage unless something had happened.

    The State has 1 year to file charges as the statute of limitations runs out one year from the date of the offence.

    I would knock-off the stealing now, because in New Jersey, you can be charged as a "Disorderly Person" or a "Crime".

    For instance, shoplifting items with a value of over $75,000 is considered a 2nd degree crime, and is punishable by a fine of up to $150,000 and five to 10 years in prison.

    Although that amount may not apply to you, the following will.

    Taking items with a value greater than $500 but less than $75,000 is considered a 3rd degree crime. This carries is a punishment of imprisonment of 3 to 5 years and a fine of up to $15,000.

    Shoplifting items valued at more than $200 but less than $500 is considered a 4th degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

    If you take something with a value under $200 it would be a disorderly person offence and you face no more than 180 days in jail and or community service, a fine up to $1000, a $150 shoplifting surcharge and court costs. The store also has a right to re-compensation, you will pay for the legal fees of the store and the value of the merchandise taken if the merchandise were not recovered in the original condition.

    Also, if you are stopped and detained by loss prevention and decide to make a run for it, you could be charged with "Robbery" if anyone from the store gets hurt. How can one get hurt? If someone is holding your arm and you decide to bolt for it, you may just hurt that persons hand or arm. If that person runs after you and trips and falls, that's all it would take for you to go to prison for robbery.

    FYI, removing a shopping cart from the store property is considered shoplifting in NJ.
  • 05-11-2017, 05:23 AM
    Mark47n
    Re: I'm Getting Paranoid and I'm Terrified
    Bear in mind that hitting multiple stores = multiple charges.

    As I examine my feelings in this case I find that I bear little to no empathy for you and your problems, thief, and have no advice for you other than to stop thieving. All you can do is wait. And wait. And wait. I hope that every time you wear that jewelry it burns and the every time you look at it your face burns with shame so much that you cannot even wear it. If you feel no shame and just the paranoia then think on this; shoplifters get caught eventually.

    Enjoy!
  • 05-11-2017, 06:13 AM
    cbg
    Re: I'm Getting Paranoid and I'm Terrified
    So you went into multiple stores, committed multiple crimes, you're scared you might actually have to face consequences for your own actions and you come to a legal board hoping we'll make you feel better? And while you're not planning to steal again soon, you're leaving the door open that you still might steal again in future?

    Am I the only one who sees the irony here?

    SMH. No wonder this country is all screwed up, with this kind of attitude out there.
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