Shoplifitng in New York

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NY

Typo:That was "Help with this query, not Hel"




My cousin was recently at Walmart near Syracuse. She was dumb enough to slide (under a cover/cloth so it wasnt apparent that she was putting in something, though suspicious) a $10 chocolate bar in her purse. After she was done paying at the cashier, she was pulled aside and taken to a room by the security. After checking her and her bag they did not find anything except the chocolate bar, which she said she purcahsed earlier in the store but did not have receipt for it. They took her license info and phone number and let her go with the chocolate bar. I dont think they charged her or made her sign anything. They said you are free to go.

My concern is that now they have the information on her, will they send any letter later or charge her later or can they check their surveillance and later send any charges? What can I do in such a case?
Should she call Walmart and find out what is going on, or why they took her info down?

They might not bother.The store could send a civil demand letter,all she can do is wait. There probably not gonna investigate a 10 dollar candy bar. She should just relax and learn for this and not steal anymore.

But how can they make a civil demand if they never charged her or they did not accuse her of shoplifiting? May be they saw in the surveillance she was sliding something in the bag, but were not sure and when they searched did not find anything valuable?
Then why did they wirte down her info?

it may have been a shakedown to find more expensive merchandise....Wal Marts policy is typically not to apprehend anything under 25 bucks. But since they did not find anything they let her go and put a scare into her and also it keeps them safe from the argument of a "bad stop". I wouldnt worry to much on it. The best thing to do is wait on the mail.

Quote:

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Quoting dagreat1

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it may have been a shakedown to find more expensive merchandise....Wal Marts policy is typically not to apprehend anything under 25 bucks. But since they did not find anything they let her go and put a scare into her and also it keeps them safe from the argument of a "bad stop". I wouldnt worry to much on it. The best thing to do is wait on the mail.

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Really?

Would you like to see the number of people on this site ALONE that have received civil demands from Wallyworld for items under $25?

Just search... it is at the top.

Really, if you have not idea what the actual answer is, don't guess.

Wal mart has a stated policy not to prosecute items under 25 bucks, supposedly a no stop policy under that amount also. This policy has been in effect since 2004. Maybe you need to look it up. Whether they let the store LP's use discretion on whether they issue civil demands on that merch is up to them.

17.01

eye shadow and ribbon

a CD and a pack of gum

7.00

20.01

Need I go on?

You are mistaking "not calling the police" for no stop.

And the civil demands are certainly real... and, if you don't pay it, they will call the police.