My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland
Hello, my girlfriend was caught stealing an earing? or a necklace, I'm not quite sure, from a JCPenny's.
I had no idea that she was going to steal it, and had no knowledge of the theft. When we were leaving the store, we were approached by two people who were apperently JCPenny security (they didn't have uniforms or anything, however). They took her to the side, and the woman took me and told me to run away from the scene, and that I had five seconds to 'get my ass' out of there, or she would arrest me. The whole time I had no idea what was going on, as I didn't know she stole anything, and of course under the threat of arrest I ran.
I found out my GF had shoplifted, made her fill out papers, she's banned for a year and they took her picture and all that stuff
However...when they took her stuff they also took my sweater that she had been carrying in her hand, and apparently that's wear she put the necklace. They let her go- but kept my sweater there, saying I had to return for it. I came back, and asked for it, and they guy there was just being completely...difficult. He wasn't letting me speak, threatening to handcuff me at every word I said. I told him I did nothing, and since my GF confessed that she did it all I was basically cleared of any charges. He claimed that he had my on tape stealing stuff, and asked if I wanted to see the tapes.
I said "Okay, let's see them then." at which he says "Oh so you're getting smart now?"
And then kicked the door open and told me I had 10 seconds to "get the F out" or he would arrest me. He told me I had to return with a parent.
I returned later with my uncle, who I am currently living with. He is 24 and I'm only 16. I am a dropout as well, and have no parents. I came with my uncle, and they still refused to return the jacket, saying he was 'too young'. I fail to understand that, he is an adult and I am in his care. They said they need my real parents, which I cannot get a hold of.
So basically, I'm asking, even though I'm innocent and had no knowledge of the theft, why do they still have my jacket? And furthermore, why do I need to contact my parents and fill out all these papers? It is on tape that I did nothing wrong. They threaten to arrest me if I ever come near the store again without a parent.
What can I do? Can they do that?![]()

