Friend Caught Shoplifting

I have a best friend that was caught shoplifting at one store and they took her in and did all the normal stuff. Yesterday though the police showed up at her door looking for evidence that could have possibly been taken at another store and that is where I am confused.

This other store I was with her but had no idea because it was done while I was in another part of the store. When she walked out they did not stop her or question at all.

My questions are:

When walking out of a store dont they have to confront you then and not several weeks later about it?

I guess they can confront her now because she was caught at another store of that chain.

For the store that she walked out of with merchandise and did not get caught, they did a search warrant.

I am so worried about her more then about myself right now.

Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

They may not have been aware of it at the time she was leaving the store.

In order to have a search warrant issued there would have been probable cause that a crime was committed.

Sense I was with her can they now come and search my house?? I am not worried about them coming, I just want my kids gone.

I guess her getting caught and charged at one store gave them the rights to get the warrant to search.

I can't answer that, we don't know the circumstances that allowed them to get the warrant.

Can I actually show up in court and tell them that she did not do it at this other store??

What they found were open game cases with games taken out. When they went to her house they were looking for only certain games. They were only able to find two of what they were looking for but they were both in the factory cases with booklet. The games they were looking for would not of had the cases because that is what they found.

Thanks so much for all your help!!!

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Quoting lostandconfusedfriend

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Can I actually show up in court and tell them that she did not do it at this other store??

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How do you know she did not do it?

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Quoting lostandconfusedfriend

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What they found were open game cases with games taken out. When they went to her house they were looking for only certain games. They were only able to find two of what they were looking for but they were both in the factory cases with booklet. The games they were looking for would not of had the cases because that is what they found.

Thanks so much for all your help!!!

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So they did find some of what they were looking for afterall.

Yet, you say that the cases and the booklet would not have been with the one's that they found? How do you know this?

Honestly the didnt do it is because I cant believe they didnt stop her when she was leaving.

I know because she read the search warrant to me.

The game cases they found had no booklet or game in them but the ones they took from her are complete and there are only two. It is just weird that they took the two games that had cases, books and games and she only had two. You can purchase the games anywhere.

I think they caught her on the security camera. (Because they were looking for specific merchandise.)

If you weren't with her, I doubt you will be involved in anyway.

Even though I left with her? They did ask her who goes shopping with her. She mentioned off names and when she said mine they said they already had it. The only way I can think of them getting my name is because I made a purchase with my credit card.

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Quoting lostandconfusedfriend

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Even though I left with her? They did ask her who goes shopping with her. She mentioned off names and when she said mine they said they already had it. The only way I can think of them getting my name is because I made a purchase with my credit card.

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Were you back in the department with her where the theft took place?

I went back over there to meet up and then we left.

Well, like I said, it is hard to say what may happen, they may just question you, or you may not hear anything from them at all.

It is really going to depend on what they discovered.

I forgot to mention the only evidence they have on video is her going into the dressing room after looking at games. They do not have her going into the dressing room with games in her hands though. She did have some in her hands but they were put down on the lower level of the store before trying on shirts two floors up.

Also still as of today they have not given her a citation so she can get an attorney and did not give her paperwork for items they removed from her home. She has called them many times now asking questions about where the citation and paperwork is for the items but they tell her that they can not talk to her.

The first store where she got caught I can understand but what they are doing now is just crazy.

The merchandise should have been recovered then if she left it behind.

Also, I'm not positive, but I believe the games have serial numbers that the store would have a record of. So if that is the case, the ones they found, may not be recorded for that store.

If she purchased them legally, she should be trying to find proof of that purchase.

Do you know why they would not give a citation yet?

Still investigating.

Thank you so much!

Hi

Did you find anything out?

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Quoting lostandconfusedfriend

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Hi

Did you find anything out?

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Sorry for the confusion, I didn't mean "I" was still investigating, I meant that they are still investigating her and if they find anything they will charge her.

They would have to charge her before the statute of limitations runs, and that could be up to a year or two.

nice! I am taking her this week to talk to an attorney this week.

Take Care and thanks again for everything!!

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Quoting lostandconfusedfriend

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nice! I am taking her this week to talk to an attorney this week.

Take Care and thanks again for everything!!

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Good idea, have a good weekend.

I found a local attorney that will talk to us with a free consultation, and will be going there this week. I am scared out of my mind because I was shopping with her that one day but not the day she got caught. Talk about bad nightmares and stressed about her a lot! She is my best friend in the world and I am going to stick with her through thick and thin no matter what.

Again thanks so much, your advise has been very helpful!

I was reading another thread so a question came to mind. If you shoplift and were caught on tape but they can not see what it is how can they come after you without knowing what was taken or what to look for after you have left the store. This is something that would have happened say three weeks before you are actually caught the next time you go in and steal again.

I hope this makes sense.

If you are seen selecting an item off a shelf that was not on your person before hand yes in many cases they can stop you

Im sorry I am going to pick your brain again.

Ok lets say that an item was picked up and the first time you did leave with something but they see you have something but do not know what it is. How would they know what to search for after you left the store and also made it home?

They saw you on camera and you look odd but they do not see the item that you have in hand.

We can play the "what if" game all day it wont go anywhere. Loss Prevention can detain you at any time to investigate what they feel might be stolen merchandise. If anyone answers your "what if" you will come back with new one. Each case (or what if scene) is judged on its own merits or lack of

Ok thank you. I guess I am looking at it and thinking about it too much.

Hi

Ok so here is the next step in the drama. Today they called in my best friends husband to question and he requested an attorney. The investigator also called me and left a message asking me to call him back. I did call him back and he said that they have questions about an on going investigation. I set up an appointment with the guy on Friday but do not trust him. Do I have a right to call him back and say "At this time I have to respectfully decline the offer to come in and answer questions, without an attorney present." Of course I can not afford one but I do not want to cause any trouble for my friends case by doing or saying something stupid! They have already started using her husband against her, saying things that he never said to try and get her to crack. Please let me know what rights I have regarding having to go in and talk to them.

Thanks