Threatened With Prosecution for Selling the Same Goods as My Employer

[SmallBlackBird]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Louisiana

For the past six months, I have worked as an independent service provider within a retail location. I do this work outside of the store as well, and have for approximately 25 years.

Last week, I put an ad in our local Craigslist, for items similar to some of the items that are sold in the shop. I did not obtain those items from the shop. I have had them in a box for at least three or four years.
I received a reply to my Craigslist post, and made arrangements to meet the potential buyer in a public location. When I arrived at the location, the shop owner was there, along with an employee of the shop. She told me she had been the person who had replied to my post, using an alias, and demanded "her" items back. I told her those were not her items. A short argument ensued, involving her demanding to know where I had obtained the items if not her shop. I told her it was none of her business. I was in shock and feeling very threatened. She told me that if I did not bring the items to her shop within four hours, she was going to call the police. She told me that she had "evidence".
I asked, "Evidence of what?" but by then she was halfway across a loud street and I couldn't hear what she was shouting in reply. I have no idea what she could mean by that. There are security cameras in the shop, but unfortunately, none in the area where those items are kept. I have never heard anybody say anything about those items having gone missing. These are not rare items. They are sold in many locations in my city, and are popular items. Save for the fact that I was selling similar items (for a lesser price), I cannot imagine how she could suppose I took them from her.
Regardless of this, I am scared.
The woman has something of a reputation; and I was actually "warned" by several colleagues about associating with her. She has a history of flying off the handle, firing people for random or false reasons. She has, however, been established in our town for over thirty years. I have no idea what sort of relationship she might have with local law enforcement.
I have never been convicted of a crime. I received a summons once, for Disturbing The Peace By Fighting, for having a loud argument with a former neighbor outside of our building. We both dropped each others' charges at our court appearance.

I am afraid of what this woman might try to do, and how long this could go on. Can anybody inform me?
Thank you so much.

[jk]

nobody has a crystal ball that works at the moment.

If she believes you stole them from her, she could call the police and make a report. Where it would go from there would be up to the police and what they discover.



While you refused to tell the woman where you got the items, do you have proof you got them somewhere other than her shop?

[SmallBlackBird]

Thank you for your reply.
No, obviously I was not asking for anybody's prediction of things to come. (It's funny you would use that particular "crystal ball" metaphor though. The items involved are of a mystical nature.) I was inquiring about the range of possibilities. How long, in the state of Louisiana, would this woman have to try to pursue the matter?

I have no printed proof that I bought the items before being at the shop. Several friends know I had them. I bought them at a clearance, used some of them, sold a few of them. The rest were packed in a box in my home and were nearly forgotten until recently.

[jk]

the longer she waits to report it to the police, the less chance it will be prosecuted. With that said, there is a statute of limitations for the state to prosecute a crime. Since I have no idea what crime is possible, I cannot say what the sol might be other than:

many states allow up to a year to prosecute a misdemeanor. Felonies can vary from that time to no time limit for crimes such as murder and sex crimes. I would take a wild guess to around 3 years for a felony theft issue.

[SmallBlackBird]

Thank you so much for your time.
No, the total value of the items involved would be less that $400 on the high end. Google tells me that's "petty". I think the entire situation is.

[Disagreeable]

How is it the goods 3 or 4 years old are identical to the new goods? Why did you refuse to show them to her, when she arranged to meet you?