Caught Shoplifting at Boscovs

Yesterday night my little sister and I were at a mall in Maryland (i live 20 min. away in Delaware). Unfortunately, I decided to shoplift four shirts from Boscovs, well tried and failed. I went into the dressing room with like ten shirts. I stood in the dressing room and looked over the shirts and riped the barcode parts of the tags off. I put the shirts into an American Eagle bag that was pretty big, I have about four other bags with all paid merchandise in them from different stores. I walked out with the remaining shirts, leaving the stolen shirt hangers and tags behind. The sales girl didn't look at me or anything and my little sister had no idea what I was doing, I didn't either...well I did, but I have never, ever done anything like this before. After putting the item on the correct racks, I asked her if she was ready to go, she was. We left soon thereafter, while walking out (doors and everything w/o any alarms), we were talking, but I thought I heard someone behind us. I had passed these guys on the way out and I thought they were going to harrass me again...but it turned out to be a young guy working in LP.

He asked, "Can I have my shirts back?" My little sister, three years younger looked at me (I had all the bags) and I was stunned and horrified at myself. I said "Oh my God...." and he said "Come on." My sis and I started walking back inside with him, I was like, "Please. I'll pay for the shirts...I pay for eight shirts ...etc, etc. Please?" He was like, "Sorry, I can't. There's my manager right there, why'd you do it?" I told him I didn't want to get close to my credit limit, but that I had enough money to pay whatever he wanted me to. He explained that he couldn't do it, and led us upstairs.

They told my sis to wait outside the LP office and the whole time I was apologizing and telling them that I couldn't get any type of record b/c I have a college scholarship that would be lost if I did and that I had never done anything like this before. They asked me to put the merchandise on the table, which I did; They asked if there was any other stolen merchandise, which I explained there was not and that I had all the receipts. (A female associate who knew nothing about what was happening was in the room with me because both LP employees were male) They asked for my license, SSN, DOB, Place of Birth, School, Phone (gave cell), Parents (said that since I was 18 would no contact), work, and if my little sis was involved (which I explained she was not, but they had to go ask her anyway). The whole time I was apologizing, begging for my sis to not get in trouble and that my school not find out about this b/c it truly is important to me.

They said she wasn't involved, so no parents were contacted, she's not even in their report. Since I told the truth (they did not check my other bags), no cops or reports. They did not take any fingerprints or photos (not merchandise or myself). They said the House of Burgesses would contact me "in a few weeks" and "that if I intercepted the letter via mail and paid the fine", it would be up to me to tell my parents (which I definatly will not unless forced). They said I could have been arrested and the H.O.B. could sentence me to a simple fine because it was my first offense (and it will be my only, and my sis will never attempt or think about this), court. I asked if I needed to stay away from the store, they said no b/c they did not consider me a threat but if they ever heard of me shoplifting again then they would push for the biggest consequence.

I asked if I could write a letter to them and the sales associate (who had to retrieve the tags), they said I could if I wanted but not mandatory. I asked about felony/mis. charges, they said that if I "payed the fine ASAP when received then it be like this incident never happened". The young guy escorted us back to my car and I thanked him.

My sis and I agreed no parents, we're not telling anyone (not even my long term boyfriend or her friends), monitoring the mail since I don't have class until 11:30AM m-t and coming home on breaks from work Fri. and Sat. Overall my question is, I don't care about the fines (they said between $50-$500). I want to know the chances of any legal action taken against me happening (besides the money demand)? Also, how long does this letter usually take to come? Can I wait to contact any lawyer until I receive the letter? Should I tell anyone? Also, I wrote the letters and am sending them ASAP tomorrow...will this do any good? (If not, I'm still sending the letters)

Again. This is my first, and will be my only, offense. I have one traffic violation (13 miles over the speed limit, which I paid through the Voluntary Assessment Center three months ago). One accident with a deer almost two years ago. No criminal background. What usually happens in a case like this? Oh, and if the outcome is usually a fine, is there usually any other legal action taken when the fine is paid?

Thank you very much...any advice is greatly appreciated.

If they were going to file charges they would have done so at the time. Pay your Civil Demand and its over!

agreed... pay the fine and you will be fine. But keep in mind that some companys have many parts to a cilvil demand... do you have a copy of yours? does it say your name will be entered into any thing called choicepoint or something like that?

I don't have any papers. They had me sign a paper, which had me state that I did, indeed, try to shoplift from their store. Which I never will do again period. BUT they said I should wait a couple of weeks for it in the mail. I called today and he said pay the fine. Is there any way I can tell the post office to hold my mail w/ my name on it for me to pick up? How long does this letter take to come?

Thanks again.

Thats between you and Post Office

What was the total amount of merchendise that you tried to steal?? I got caught a couple weeks ago.

$70 worth...seriously stupid. I could have paid for it.....:wallbang:

In many of the shoplifting cases I have seen the subject has had the funds to pay for merchandise

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Quoting panther10758

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In many of the shoplifting cases I have seen the subject has had the funds to pay for merchandise

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in 90% of the shoplifting cases I have seen the subjects not only had the funds but that amount in CASH!

Reminds me of a story I stopped two gentlemen for stealing a ball cap and some other low price item ( I fail to recall) total for both was under $40.00. They had on them a combined total of nearly $1000.00 on them. Go figure? to make matters worse (for them) they were illegals and were deported.

About how long does it usually take for this letter/fine take to come in the mail?

Depends on the agency sending it days, weeks even months.

Got the letter in the mail. Paid the fine, which they doubled, but oh well...it's done and over with now. I have def. learned my lesson. :o

I also made the mistake of shoplifting at Boscov's - a $12 pair of earrings that I definitely could have paid for! I think I was treating it all like some kind of game. They took me to a little room where they asked me all the questions the previous poster was asked. However, they did not ask me to sign anything. This is my first offense. Do you think I will still be fined?