My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maryland
I was apprehended for shoplifting approximately $50 worth of merchandise from a sporting goods store in Maryland. I will give you the details of the event and then questions I have regarding it.
I was with a friend and went to the store. I picked up two items and carried them to the back of the store. I know this store does not have any cameras and I know who the security guys are (or so I thought). No one saw me take the items or conceal them. I then walked to the front and waited as my friend paid for his items. When we were leaving, a guy smoking a cigarette asked me a question. He then flashed a badge at me and said he was store security. A young guy dressed in shorts came up to me, showed me a badge that said police/officer...I can't remember. I told them to back away and thats when the guy in the shorts grabbed me and handcuffed me. They took me to the back and one guy told me to "Shut the **** up" and all.
They took my ID, ran me in the system, told me that they had a year and day to press charges for Theft. They also took my picture and had me sign a bunch of forms. I was then released with one of the guys telling me if he ever saw my "Ugly ****ing face again" that he was going to make sure that I "went to jail". The whole thing lasted about thirty minutes.
#1 - Are store employees not in uniform able to rush me like that and handcuff me? I did not resist and I am not sure if he is a police officer or if he is store security.
#2 - Will complaining about their behavior push them to press charges?
#3 - They said the store fine is 2X the amount I stole. Is there any state statute information on Civil Demand? I cannot locate it online.
#4 - Can he press charges if he sees me again? I think that he has a problem with me and will press charges just to be an asshole.
I know that I stole and all, but these guys were unprofessional and I don't know if they are cops or not. What can I do about this?

