My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York.
I was recently in a department store and made a bad decision to take merchandise from the store. After walking around the store with the merchandise, I made a decision to dump the merchandise after I noticed Loss Prevention personnel following me. I DID NOT WALK OUT THE DOORS OF THE STORE. I DID however walk around most of the store trying to get rid of the merchandise because I realized it was a stupid idea and I would get caught. Regardless, I didn't attempt to leave the store. After getting rid of the merchandise, loss prevention got a hold of me, detained me, and asked me to sign a paper stating it was a record of the incident. Now i'm receiving notices asking to pay restitution in the amount of $500 pursuant to New York General Obligations Law § 11-105.
11-105 corresponds to Larceny in mercantile establishments: I was not convicted of larceny, and I did not attempt to leave the store with the merchandise. Whichever way you look at it, this surely cannot be legal can it? Will I be forced to pay this 500$? This is the same as me putting a package of gum in my pocket, and when i'm about to leave the store I put the gum back.
Someone PLEASE help!

