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!

