Shoplifting Accusation in Texas

Last night after work, I went into a beauty shop and purchased two items. I had my work shirt on (I work in another retail store in the same strip mall).

This morning when I went to work, my manager called me and said that I was accused of shoplifting in another store, and that OUR lp said I cannot be in our store until it is resolved.
When I talked with the LP person, they said it was one store, that I was not in. He called the store, they said they had not called, so the LP said I should just carry on with my day, and he apologised.

Later in the day, the other store (the one I was actually in) called and apparently they are the ones accusing me. I called there, and the manager said I stole a curling iron. She said she filed a police report, but that if I return the iron, she will not press charges. (I did NOT take anything!). She said they have me on tape . . . that they have me picking up a curling iron (which I DID), and that later I bend over and the camera can't see me. I went to the restroom (actually twice) while I was in there (drank too much coke at work!), and they found the empty curling iron box in the trash in the restroom.

They did file a police report. I did NOT take anything. I have prior shoplifting convictions (but REALLY did not take anything). I purchased two items.

Can they convict me for this?

ALso - since she said if i returned it she wouldn't press charges - I am considering going to another store, purchasing the same iron and bringing it back to her, just to make this go away. IS that stupid?

HELP. I can NOT afford to lose my job over this (or to go to jail!)

I suggest you hire a Lawyer. If you ar eindeed innocent ask for video and other evidence during discovery. they have slecetion and they may have you entering bathroom. Now unless they saw you leave bathroom with nothing and found empty box right away if may be tough to prove your guilt

but i didn't ENTER the bathroom with anything!

let me add to how guilty i look. I browsed for a while (did look at curling irons, and even picked one up). I found some hairspray. I put it at the register and went to restroom.

i was going to leave, walked to the door, then changed my mind and came back in to get hairspray. Alarm at door beeped (NOT as I was leaving, but as I walked back in!! My phone often sets alarms off - happens at my store all the time). I stood in line . . . line was long . . . while standing there, I decided to go ask for help with another product. Sales person helped me. I put product down, went to restroom again, came out, picked product up, went to front and payed for both items, and left.

I did NOT steal naything (I know everyone says that, but I have no reason to lie here!).

I guess they later found an empty curling iron box in bathroom and, since I had been in there, and had looked at curling irons, assumed ti was me!

(I also filled out a "club card" when I checked out . . . so it had my name and address).

Like I said hire an Attorney fight the charges. During the discovery process you will see what (if any) evidence they have against you. It doesnt matter what you say here what matters is what can be proved in court

i will.

but does the fact that they saw me pick up a curling iron and go to the restroom (not with the iron! and not immediately after i looked at it) . . . and the fact that they found a box for a curling iron (I don't know if it was the same one or not) in the restroom trash enough to incriminate me?

also - the manager said if i would return it, she wouldn't press charges. i thought about finding out what model it is she says i stole, buying one at another store and returning it to her. is that a really abd idea?

i can't afford to lose me job over this!

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Quoting QuietStorm

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i will.

but does the fact that they saw me pick up a curling iron and go to the restroom (not with the iron! and not immediately after i looked at it) . . . and the fact that they found a box for a curling iron (I don't know if it was the same one or not) in the restroom trash enough to incriminate me?There are no facts right now only your side and theirs. The jury will decide your guilt or innocence based on evidence or lack of

also - the manager said if i would return it, she wouldn't press charges. i thought about finding out what model it is she says i stole, buying one at another store and returning it to her. is that a really abd idea? If Store Manager has already pressed charges its over and done and ther eis no gurantee he will keep that promise. If you did no wrong why buy and return a curling iron. You yourself state you dont even know if its same brand

i can't afford to lose me job over this!

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No one wants to lose their job however your employer can fire you for any or no reason long as it violates no law

i know that. texas is an "at will" employnent state.

But, if this is dropped I don't think it will be an issue.

That's why I was considering buying another iron and bringing it to the store.

By your own statement you do not even know if it was same curling iron that was missing from box in restroom. If you buy another curling iron and its wrong one you still face prosecution. I realize that returning iron saves you from prosecution but it may not save your job. buying another curling iron and taking it back to store could be seen as admission of guilt. Why not just give Store Manager the money for iron why bring it back?

because she told me on the phone that she just wanted the iron back. i offered to pay for it. she wants the iron back.

after i thought about it i called her back to ask for model of iron - that i would purchase another one and bring it back. she said she was busy and would get back to me, but she hasn't. i'll cantoact an attorney in the am!

Look I am not saying one way or the other but nothing your saying makes sense.