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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    1

    Default Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    My son has been asking me for these toy trains for several weeks but I just can't afford them. I wandered into a toy store today, picked out a box and couldn't resist the temptation of stuffing the trains inside it. I did it in the back of the store were there was no one around and no cameras. When I got to the register, the cashier got suspicious because the box look tampered with so she started to open it up. I panicked and said I left my wallet in my car, and jogged out of there. No one followed me out but I drove away quickly.

    On the way home I realized how shameful it would have been to have gotten caught, and that I could have done other things to earn extra money instead of stealing. I am still shaking right now, I am scared because I have been in there several times before and used my debit card to purchase things. Was this still considered shoplifting even though I didn't leave the store with anything, or is it considered vandalism? Will they call the police and have them come search my home? Thanks for any advisement.

    Jay in California

  2. #2

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    I don't have any real legal advice... but it sounds like no one was there to take down your license plate? You might have been able to save yourself.

    If you don't hear anything...

    Don't go back to that store or any of the chains again... At least for a few years... Cameras are plastered all over checkout areas of stores. If you have to go back, use cash only.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    If you were not detained at the store, with the store recovering its merchandise, the odds that the police will become involved at this point are low. (I can't rule it out - only time will tell.)

  4. #4

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    The cashier kinda blew it by opening the box at the register. While the cashier will get recognized for their actions, the proper thing to do would have been to let you leave the store with box, then have the manager stop you and ask to inspect the box. There is a chance your cashier was a manager working the register. I've never seen a cashier do something like this without calling a manager up to the register first.

    As for whether this falls into the vandalism or theft category, Bam! could probably tell you for sure. Because you said you were in a secluded area when you concealed the items, there probably isn't any way for them to prove it was you put those items in that box. Had you stuck around and denied doing it, I'm not sure then they could have detained you without a witness or video footage.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    Also, a similar thing to what you did happened at a CompUSA I worked at. During a morning meeting, the video of one of our employees scaring the would be shoplifter away was shown. She got a round of applause and then the LPO told us to notify him if the man came back in the store again.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    641

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    Quote Quoting TraumaFromTarget
    View Post
    As for whether this falls into the vandalism or theft category, Bam! could probably tell you for sure.
    It falls into the "obtaining merchandise under false pretenses" which is a fraud. You would be better off grabbing the merchandise and walking out the door like you owned it. That in itself would be a petty larceny (depending on the amount).

    Whenever you do something like open a box, conceal more merchandise and attempt to purchase it, you are taking a huge risk. I don't condone stealing, but if you are going to do it, make sure you are educated on the matter. Once you are educated, (including the penalties) I am sure that you won't want to risk stealing something when you could easily pay for it.

    In VA, the felony theft amount is $200. If you steal $200.01 the police are obligated to take you to jail. If you threaten force when you take an item from a shop, that instantly pushes it into the "robbery" category. If you lie or falsely state where merchandise came from/conceal merch in a box, it pushes it into the fraud category which all hold harsher penalties than petty larceny.

    That being said, I would hazard a bet that you are fine. Like I have stated before, most stores are not going to waste their time and the police resources especially when you never purchased the item (you attempted) and they have the merchandise. Chances are slim to none that you will get prosecuted.

  7. #7

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    So let me ask you this Bam. Say one of your cashiers at Target opens a box someone is attempting to buy, and finds other merchandise inside. They call you to the register, but the person denies putting the merchandise in the box. You don't have the person on camera committing the act, nor have any witnesses. How would you proceed from there?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    641

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    Lets set up the scenario in two ways.

    First I see Trauma come into Target and pick up three comforter sets. That is odd, but the behavior is not all too suspicious. I drop surveillance for a "better" hit. In the course, I see in Trauma's cart the comforter sets and ten cans of noodle soup. I drop surveillance again. Then a cashier calls me up and says that Trauma has 10 cans of noodle soup in a comforter set and the comforter set does not include 10 cans in the purchase. I would approach, tell Trauma what I saw, tell him the options (not purchase that particular set, but one of the same off the shelf). I would also make it clear that we would find the person "box stuffing". This is similiar to a harsh police warning when they don't have all the elements to the crime.

    Second, if I get a call from a cashier about Trauma and I did not notice him once in the store, I would direct a manager to handle the situation. I would not step in at all due to potential problems which could arise (IE no video evidence etc).

    Usually, if I do not have all my steps in line, I do not approach customers even when cashiers,managers and other employees tell me that they did something "suspicious". I refer them to management, or tell the employee to give them good customer service by checking products, offering assistance (holding merchandise for them) and ringing them out properly. I usually only interact with customers once something has gone down (loss prevention issues).

    Also, just because it is in the back of the store and you cannot see a camera dome, don't expect that it can't see you. Most likely they can't but don't swear by it. I have worked in stores where the only place that you cannot be seen is the bathroom and fitting rooms.

    Again, this is speaking for myself and a majority of my coworkers. I have done this job a long time and realize the risks in falsely accusing someone. Other management/Lp might handle it differently, so it is a gamble.

    Direct questions to me...

  9. #9

    Default Re: Botched shoplifting attempt, scared crazy

    Yeah, I just find this story a little unusual because its not common practice for cashiers to inspect merchandise other than shoeboxes. I've even returned boxes to stores that had clearly been opened but the customer service rep didn't even bother to see if everything inside.

    My guess is that the cashier was familiar with that item and noticed the seals had been broken, or that particular store has had a problem with box stuffers and put the cashiers on alert. Either way, you are lucky that you escaped the scene. The reason no one followed you was probably because they were hoping you'd come back.

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