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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    2

    Exclamation Store Knew I Was Also Stealing at a Different Store

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: illinois

    I was caught shoplifting yesterday,and i overheard the store manager say to an associate that i also stole from another store(which i did).I don't know what to do.I am not sure if it is possible that they use the same security company or simply communicate with each other.I stole from the other store an hour or 2 before i stole from the one that caught me.both are VERY high end department stores that are not owned by same comany(as far as i know).I have learned my lesson and have never been so humiliated and afraid in my life.I will NEVER EVER steal ANYTHING again as long as I live.But now i am terrified that the other store will come after me and charge me for theft as i know they have cameras in the store and obviously are aware of my theft.I should mention the item i stole from the store that did NOT "catch" me was over $1,000 dollars.and the store that did catch me did call the police and have me arrested.I was caught stealing over 5k worth of merchandise.I have never shoplifted until a few weeks ago and after one time of accidentaly walking out of a department store with tagged sunglasses still on my head i felt a rush and stupidly started doing this daily for 3 weeks.I am a single mother and in retrospect have no clue what came over me.i am so embarrased and ashamed of my greed..I am so scared that the police are going to come to my door and arrest me for all the other things i stole,espeacially since they were all very high priced items..what should i do?!knowing that at least 1 of the stores that i got away from knows who i am and knows that i stole from them should i go back and return the stolen item?will i get arrested by returning it because i am admitting that i stole it?what are the chances they will come after me?I cannot beleive i put myself in a position where my son will have a mother in jail.how can i best prevent charges and or arrest for my thefts at this point?someone please help i am terrified!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Store Knew I Was Also Stealing at a Different Store

    Do you actually expect we will believe this was your first time? Yes, you may be prosecuted for both thefts. You should be charged with a felony 4. Enjoy the possible 1-3 years.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Store Knew I Was Also Stealing at a Different Store

    It's quite possible that they will communicate with each other for whatever reason. You need to stay away from these stores PERIOD. WHen charges are brought, you will need a lawyer. If the police or a representative of the prosecutor calls to chat, decline to speak to them (you can say you were told by your attorney not to speak with them without him, I guarantee every attorney will tell you that). The amounts involved here are well into the realm of making this a felony, which will have severe and lifelong implications. I'd be researching a good local attorney right now so you'll have his phone number when needed.

    In addition you'll almost certainly get a letter from the stores' "lawyers" demanding civil payments to cover the damages you've caused.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Store Knew I Was Also Stealing at a Different Store

    Thanks for your reply I'm living in pure terror and guilt right now!can someone tell me how to best find a great lawyer? I have never needed one prior to this and am desperate to get this off my record asap(if possible).becUse i do a lot of volunteer work with children and will lose the privlage to do that if I have criminali record.how do I know which lawyer had the experience n connections I need?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    19,901

    Default Re: Store Knew I Was Also Stealing at a Different Store

    If you are convicted of the felony theft charges this is NEVER EVER coming off your record.
    You need a good attorney to make sure it never goes ON your record that way.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Somewhere near Canada
    Posts
    35,894

    Default Re: Store Knew I Was Also Stealing at a Different Store

    I'm not trying to scare you Mom, but if you end up incarcerated you stand a good chance of losing your child/ren. At least temporarily.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Store Knew I Was Also Stealing at a Different Store

    The time to worry about what would be on your record and how it would affect your volunteer work was before you decided to become a thief, not after.

    It's out of your hands now. Start calling lawyers - it's now up to them.

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