What Will Happen if You're Filmed by a Security Camera While Stealing

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois.

Let's say there's a guy named Bob. Let's say that he grabbed, a random item worth about seventy bucks, and that he was certain he wasn't seen by a person, security camera maybe, because he doesn't know which ones are duds and which ones work. And on his way leaving with said item, a Walmart person asked if he was okay, because Bob looked like he was having issues walking, which he was. Bob has trouble with his leg and back. Bob hears the lady over her walkie talkie talking about him heading up front.

Bob figures he's screwed, so instead of running for it, him having leg issues and all, he goes outside, makes peace with it, and sits down waiting to be confronted. But the funniest thing happens, he's sitting outside on the bench, looking genuinely calm, (again, because he made peace with it) and nothing happens. A Walmart worker was standing by the door and watching him for about 5-15 minutes (Bob doesn't have a good internal clock) and then he just leaves. No one says anything, no one confronts Bob, and another fifteen/thirty minutes later, Bob takes the public bus home.

Now, Bob's anxiety is acting up, and he's wondering if the police are going to show up, or if he can still shop at Walmart, because that's where he gets most of his food. Again, the person just left, and Bob doesn't think they called the cops, because he was sitting outside for about 30 minutes total and literally nothing else happened after the guy went back inside. What I'm wondering is, hypothetically, how likely will they of checked the cameras and banned Bob from the store, or called the police?

Well Bob, that is one hypothetical case that would take quite an imagination to conjure up. But assuming that it did happen, there would be no way for them to identify who Bob was. So if you got away with your shoplifting, I would not worry about the police.

However, if they do have the crime on video that is reviewed at a later time, you might not want to go back to that Walmart for a while.

We generally don't waste time here with hypotheticals. I suggest seeking help elsewhere for your homework assignment.

And you know this is a homework assignment how? I think OP is the perp. The story is too convoluted to be homework.

Personally, I agree with Bud in this case. But since the poster says it's hypothetical and I rarely (not never - I have done so on occasion when it's quite clear and it's my turn to be the bad guy) call a poster a liar, I will for the purposes of argument accept it as hypothetical.

I do not answer hypothetical questions. If the poster has a REAL question at some point in future, I will be glad to share any insights I may have with him. But since this is a hypothetical question, he is free to imagine his own answers.

Hypothetically Walmart loss control could review the tapes and if you’re seen, attempt to associate you with some identifying information. If they can identify you they could hyplothetically call the police and seek to have you charged with whatever crime is applicable


personally I would worry more about the fact you’ll go to hell for stealing. Since we all have our own personal hell’s, I suspect yours will be where you are a Walmart greeter for all eternity. You will have to watch people steal things but not be able to stop them but as punishment for letting them get away the manager will jab you in sensitive places with a hot poker.

Of course, hypothetically.

It's not hypothetical, but with everyone saying it was a "friend" who did it, I figured I'd try something different. Does the framing device used to deliver the question really matter? Especially on topics of this nature, where people are asking topics of criminal wrong doing and all it takes is a police man who has half a mind to check sites like this? Anyways, thank you for your help budwad, and sorry if the story was a little too convoluted, but that's what happened.

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Quoting Deady245

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...how likely will they of [sic] checked the cameras and banned Bob from the store, or called the police?

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There are no clairvoyants here to give you your answer.

If you do not commit crimes then you don't have to worry about the consequences of criminal behavior.

Btw; Walmart has cameras in places you would never see them. The last one where I was in their security room there were at least a couple hundred dvr’s. One camera per dvr means at least a couple hundred cameras.


Try try to find them all.

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Quoting Deady245

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It's not hypothetical, but with everyone saying it was a "friend" who did it, I figured I'd try something different. Does the framing device used to deliver the question really matter? Especially on topics of this nature, where people are asking topics of criminal wrong doing and all it takes is a police man who has half a mind to check sites like this? Anyways, thank you for your help budwad, and sorry if the story was a little too convoluted, but that's what happened.

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I'm always amused by criminals who whine and sweat about the possibility of getting caught when they think they might have been seen. I guess it's too much to ask of stupid people that they think about the consequences before they commit the crime and then don't do it.

Okay, first of all, name calling isn't necessary. Second of all, is it really stupid when something happens that you weren't expecting and you decide to ask for advice?

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Quoting Deady245

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Okay, first of all, name calling isn't necessary. Second of all, is it really stupid when something happens that you weren't expecting and you decide to ask for advice?

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You talk like you accidentally tripped an old lady.

You intentionslly stole merchandise from walmart. That is not a “I wasn’t expecting it to happen”. That is an intentional act that you knowingly made Happen.

Okay, maybe I should of specified. The part I wasn't expecting to happen was the part where nothing actually happened. When I saw the lady following me I figured that I was boned, but then I sat outside, for about thirty minutes total, and literally nothing happened. Excuse me for the fact that they had me being watched and the fact that they had probable cause because apparently I replied suspiciously throwing me for a loop when they didn't do anything! I just thought it odd, and when stuff doesn't make sense, it bugs me! I was fully aware that there was a high probability I would get caught, but the fact that they apparently gave up or something right before made me mildly suspicious.