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Can You Be Charged With Shoplifting if You Abandon Your Cart at the Store

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  • 06-02-2018, 12:25 AM
    Colefoot
    Can You Be Charged With Shoplifting if You Abandon Your Cart at the Store
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania
    So my girlfriend and I decided to go to the big super store ( you know which one) and we decided to try out our luck at sneaking a few items through the self checkout line. It was two decent sized items adding up to about $100 in value. We got through the self checkout line by scanning a different sticker for a lower price and then paying that lower price. As we went to leave the store the shoplifting alarm went off. My girlfriend and I both instantly stopped in our places and ran to our car. We left the shopping cart with the merchandise at the door so we technically did not steal anything. My girlfriend accidentally left her cellphone in the cart and the store now has it. Can we get in any trouble from this? We don't really want the phone back. We accept that as punishment for our actions. We just want to know if there is any legal backlash we should be expecting for this mistake? We learned our lesson, it was the first time we ever tried this and we never are going to do it again. Thanks.
  • 06-02-2018, 02:04 AM
    Taxing Matters
    Re: Can I Be Prosecuted for Anything
    Quote:

    Quoting Colefoot
    View Post
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania
    We left the shopping cart with the merchandise at the door so we technically did not steal anything.

    You are incorrect on that. You have stolen the item once you have either concealed it with the intent to deprive the store of it or, as you did, you falsified the price to get it for less than its real worth. So once you did the fraudulent scan and headed for the door, you were shoplifters and the store could have busted you. You didn't have to make it out the door. The store could still prosecute you for it, though my guess is that it probably won’t bother. The two of you probably should not return to that store to shop.
  • 06-02-2018, 05:36 AM
    LegalWriter
    Re: Can I Be Prosecuted for Anything
    Don't count on them not prosecuting. Those stores have video surveillance so they have evidence of everything you did. Since the phone was left behind, they will call the cops. The W stores DO seek prosecution.
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