Possible Shoplifting Charges

hi, my name's Mark, i was "caught" shoplifting today at my local target store here in Texas. I put quotation marks on caught because i didn't have anything on me when i left the store. Here's the story, I was planning on taking a case for my ipod, i opened the package, put it in my pocket and walked around for a bit before changing my mind. i took the case out of my back pocket slowly and kicked it away. After doing that i walked towards the door and as soon as i got out, a security guard and one of the employees asked me to walk with them. So we go to their security office and i get asked in a rather vulgar way where the item is and to empty my pockets and show some id. I empty my pockets show some id and tell them straight out that i was going to steal the case but that i chickened out before leaving the store. So they entered my driver's license info into the computer which i'm assuming is used so that i won't be able to work at a target and their affiliates. They didn't call the police and they didn't ask me to sign anything or take my picture like some of the other stories i've read on here. I did however offer to pay for the broken packaging and that they could keep the case. After a while of waiting for them to finish putting my info into the computer, the lady asked me if i was really willing to pay for the case and i said yes so they bring a new unopened case and i get escorted to pay for it at the register. Once that is done, i am escorted out of the store, told that i can never shop there again and that i will be getting a letter from target.

My question is this, 1) if i didn't leave the store with the case, is it still shoplifting?? 2) even though i paid for the case and got a different one, am i still liable for the case i opened?? and finally, 3) what might that letter from target be about??

I'm pretty glad that i didn't go through with my plan but i am still pretty worried about what might happen with this situation. if anyone on here can help answer my questions and maybe give me some advice i would be eternally thankful.

sincerely,
Mark

most likely they will send you a civil damages bill...depending on how much the case costs it will be aprox 10X that dollar amount. from there they can chose to prosecute within 60 days. you will not know if they choose to prosecute until that 60 days is up. this sucks i know, im on day 3 of waiting to see if i get charged for trying to shoplift less than $24 worth of merch from a meijer store in michigan. i dont know where you live or those applicable laws but in my state its 10X the property's non sale value and a waiting game.....good luck...

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My question is this, 1) if i didn't leave the store with the case, is it still shoplifting?? 2) even though i paid for the case and got a different one, am i still liable for the case i opened?? and finally, 3) what might that letter from target be about??

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If your state considers concealemnt a crime then yes if not no. However you did open the package and mad eitem unsaleable therefore you could be charged with vandalism! Yes you can still be lible for item you made it unsalealbe. The letter might be Civil Demand which was mentioned earlier by a fellow lifter! It is not likely you are facign any criminal charges since Police were not called and you paid for item, in fact Target really shouldnt have even banned you considering they allowed you to pay for another item stillin package. all in all worst you can expect is Civil Demand which will be near $200.00 I would guess

This stop should have NEVER been made. Company policy was broken numerous times. Call the store, talk to the Store Manager and see what can be done.

Why shouldn't the stop have been made? Is it because, after watching the suspect open the packaging to steal the item and put it in his pocket, the LP officer didn't maintain sufficient constant observation to see him slip it back out of his pocket before trying to leave the store?

Even without constant observation they still have him on damages now that he opened package.

The AP team member must maintain sufficient surveillance of the subject in order to know the location of the merchandise and ensure the subject does not discard the merchandise.

Target AP Team Members MAY NOT stop a subject who has damaged merchandise. If they see this, they must alert a Guest Services Manager to talk to the customer.

They are not allowed to initiate a stop where the customer rips open a package and then discards the merchandise. The poster screwed himself by admitting he was going to steal the item, but that in itself is not a crime. In order to commit the crime of larceny, the item must be taken with INTENT TO DEPRIVE. By merely ripping open the package, you do not deprive the store of the item.

Here there was a taking with intent to deprive, then a change of heart. Whether or not the stop violates Target rules is a separate issue.

The ripping open of the package is an act of vandalsim! So accorcding to Bam vandalism is ok at Target!

No, what he said was that an LP has to speak to a manager before acting on the vandalism of merchandise. It's a policy I can't quite understand, but if that's there policy I assume that they have a reason for having implemented it.