I had been stealing progressively for 5+ years. I was very careful and stealthy in going about it for that time. I had a problem and I knew it, but could not stop. I had lost interest in the items I was stealing, only taking it for the sole purpose of the acquisition. It was obvious to everyone around me that my problem was bigger than what I had made it out to be. It was an addiction, just like any drug or alcohol addiction. I was stealing to fill a void and I could not fix myself. The items I was stealing kept going up in value. Sometimes I would steal little things here and there almost every single day and then I would go overboard and steal 700+ dollars worth of items in one afternoon. These bouts of serious theft started to increase, along with my need/want to do it. I was always very careful. I thought I would never get caught. I was stealing bigger priced things and getting away with it, even getting myself out of situations with employees who would question me; and when the alarms would go off, sometimes no one would even come by. I became totally relaxed. I didn't even get a rush anymore. So, I became careless. It is an embarrassing cliche. I started to believe that I was on top of everything, and I could get myself out of situations. At this point, I did not even want to steal at times, but would find myself going into a store and doing the deed. It made me sick. I could not stop.
Yesterday was the day. After 5+ years. I was so careless, I even amazed myself at the gall I had to do what I did. I went to a high end retail store. There was 3 employees and no other customers. It was snowing about 5-7 inches that day. I was on a mission to steal certain items of clothing from this store. I went in. I bullshitted. I walked around. I stole a couple pricey items in corners and in the dressing room and basically left the store as they all watched me. I knew they knew. I got paranoid and ran around the block before getting into my car which was parked across the street from the store. Before I got into my car, I saw them looking for me. I didn't turn back, quickly got in and drove off. I was insanely paranoid the entire day. I wondered if it was possible that they could have grabbed my license plate number or if the store cameras could have got a shot at me getting into my car. I wondered if they could still prosecute me after the fact.
Later that day, I went over with my friend to another retail store. I went in with the intention to steal. I was being very very careless. I had been in this store many a time previously and knew that they had minimal surveillance, but hard tags on most items. I took them off two sweaters, stuffed them in my bag in plain sight, along with a couple necklaces. Something was wrong with me that day. I then grabbed some product, like a notebook, and then without even thinking, just walked out. I knew I had to get out soon, because I had all these things on me, so my main drive was to get out. But, why I just took that notebook, in my hand, unconcealed, and decided to walk out. It absolutely confuses me, I would never, never , ever do something like that. My mind was out. It was as if it was meant to happen, finally. The alarms went off. I waited there, the employee came. Long story short, there was no receipt for all the items in my bag, the police was called, I was arrested for misdemeanor petty theft. I had taken 115 dollars worth of merchandise. If it was 150, it would have been a felony. I went to the precinct, did all the searches, processing, holding, took off my shoelaces and whatnot. I just accepted the whole thing. I was very calm. It was going to happen. Better now than later. My concerns are this:
1. I have read many of the threads here and concerning public defenders and pleading "not guilty", how does someone go about getting a public defender? Is it assigned when I go to court by the judge? Do I get to discuss my case with my public defender before I go before the judge? Is it even possible for me to plead "not guilty" when I've signed all the forms at the store and in the police station? How do I go about getting some sort of a "deal"?
2. I live in another state than the one I got caught stealing from. I am flying in for the court date. Is it possible to get all this fixed in another state? Can I do community service in another state?
Lastly, I had never considered this as an addiction comparable to other types of addiction that I know of (drug abuse...). It is. The circumstances surrounding the causality of a person addicted to stealing, are very very similar to the circumstances that cause people to be addicted to drugs and alcohol and whatever else. It requires the same amount of help. I can't say that if I do not force myself to actively search for shoplifters help programs or groups, I would not steal again. I am currently looking for help. I do have a therapist, but ironically enough, the last session before I left , I was going to confess about my problem, but we ran out of time. This kind of long term theft is illegal, but also has deeper psychological problems that needs to be addressed and they "why" of it all needs to surface. Honestly though, I am pissed that I got caught. It was stupid and absurdly careless.
I probably will have to pay 10 times the cost of the merchandise I stole, and will have to wait to be able to expunge this from my record. (I believe it is 2 years for Illinois). This is all new to me and the biggest thing I am worried about it how I will fix this when I live in another state. Thank you for reading, and thanks to anyone who responds.
The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shoplifting
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03-22-2008, 04:50 PMEnder2The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shoplifting
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03-23-2008, 05:05 PMMr. KnowitallRe: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught ShopliftingTypically you obtain a petition form from the court, complete it, submit it, and see if it is approved. Ask the court for details.Quote:
Quoting Ender2
Your lawyer will help you negotiate a plea deal, and it is possible to plea bargain even if you have confessed.
What's "all of this"? You're going to be sentenced in the state where you committed your crime. You can talk to your lawyer and probation officer about completing portions of your sentence from your home in another state.Quote:
Quoting Ender2
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03-23-2008, 07:32 PMdeedRe: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shoplifting
vThis kind of long term theft is illegal, but also has deeper psychological problems that needs to be addressed and they "why" of it all needs to surface. Honestly though, I am pissed that I got caught. It was stupid and absurdly careless. quote
why in the hell are you pissed,??? you stole and you are lucky you werent put in jail immediately. Are you pissed b/c you got caught and you would have liked to continue shoplifting/
I probably will have to pay 10 times the quote.... so??? I gotcaught with a $ 1.19/ 8 oz 1/2 pint of milk and had to pay $$250.00 which was truly an accident., but then you say your pissed?
why are you pissed at this amount since youve been stealing all along am sure the total of your stealing is probably less than this amount.
your post is so confusing and disturbingto me. -
03-23-2008, 09:05 PMEnder2Re: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shoplifting
I was put in jail immediately and obviously you do not understand the point of my post, which is addressing long term progressive shoplifting. Most long term shoplifters who had not gotten caught but then finally did, probably regret that they did get caught and go through the millions of ways they could have done something different to not have gotten caught up until their court date.
Secondly, I did not realize this was some sort of theft comparison and so when I am stating the fact that I now have to pay restitution that is tenfold higher than the price of the items I had taken to say how the ramifications are not worth the deed (like the morals of most of the posts here) I did not realize I had to consider and compare your idiot milk stealing "accident" to myself. So in comparison, yes, you were stupider than I, congratulations. You should most definitely be more pissed than me. -
03-24-2008, 09:24 AMcyjeffRe: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shoplifting
You asked for the legal answer. You got it.
We are typically not in the business of validating excuses. -
03-24-2008, 12:54 PMchuckycheeseRe: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shoplifting
That was a sensational story!:rolleyes:
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03-24-2008, 12:57 PMcyjeffRe: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught ShopliftingWait a minute.Quote:
Quoting Ender2
Are you saying that your only regret is that you got caught? That you are a long term shoplifter by trade?
You do realize that this website is run by lawyers, right? And that such an admission will result in your IP address being turned over to the police, right?
Speaking of "stupider". -
03-24-2008, 02:54 PMEnder2Re: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shoplifting
An admission of what? You are the one who suggested that I was an occupational thief. How can you prove that what I have written was true or even about myself, or if I am writing for a friend who I am concerned for? Or maybe it is a story madeup for people in similar situations to get advice from and help for their habitual theft.This forum seems to be meant for legal counsel and advice from knowleageable people who have either been through this or work with cases such as this. Your comment has no value or place where people come for support and unbiased help for whatever situation they are in. If you are coming here and trying to incriminate people based on anonymous information sent by people who could be posting from internet cafes or different Wi-Fi signals, good luck.
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03-24-2008, 03:59 PMcyjeffRe: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught ShopliftingNice try.Quote:
Quoting Ender2
I bet the cops don't believe it either.
I hope you steal better than you lie. Oh wait, you don't. Nevermind. -
03-24-2008, 05:42 PMdeedRe: The Fateful Day, Finally Caught Shopliftinghe called me stupid, which I guess I was when I was caught with my 1.19 8 oz milk but I paid my fine for my stupide mistake,Quote:
Quoting cyjeff
I read your post as you are a full fledge thief and that you were pissed off that you got caught. But am the stupid one? get a life you def. need one.