My 28 year old cousin lives in ontario and was recently arrested for shoplifting. He returned the merchandise back to the store and this is the first time he has ever been in trouble with the police. He hopes that he will receive a diversion, however he is very worried because he has shoplifted many times before (from that same store and other stores as well) and he now fears that there may have been previously reported incidences of shoplifting from these retail stores that he may now be tied to.
My questions are:
a) How likely is this that there are other accounts of his shoplifting reported to the police. Do the police report these incidences publicly and if so where can i find them?
b) How long do stores usually keep surveillence tapes and when do they review them?
c) How long does a store have to file a police report and press charges?
c) If the shoplifting is not noticed the day it occured and the police do not charge him that day, how likely is it that he "got away with it"?
d) What should he do? any legal advice?
He is deeply sorry and will never shoplift again. He realizes the severity of the issue and is very remorseful.
Thanks for all your help!

