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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Posts
    2

    Default Will I Be Accused of Stealing After Taking an Item by Accident

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: OR

    So for months we have been planning a camping trip, and I am running around the grocery store grabbing all the food/mixers and other stuff we need for camping. I go to a self checkout and purchase over 140 bucks worth of stuff, even putting back some items so I could afford all the mixers in the top part of the cart. We have a rental car and the time is running out and I pay for everything (i think) and stroll off with my full cart, two girls at the checkout counter start to talk all secretively as I walk by, I am confused but too busy trying to get to the car. As I am loading in everything I see what I think is one of the check girls come down look at my car and walk off. I think nothing of it at first and drive home so we can get the rental back on time. I go over the reciepts and realize that I forgot to pay for some soft drinks that were in the cart. I try to get to the store before if closes but I was too late. I paid with my SO's card and the rental car was in her name. I don't want her to get in trouble for my mistake. And honestly I don't want to get into trouble either! I don't know what to do because I don't want to go into the store the day of my camping trip and get arrested! I plan on going to the store tomorrow and trying to get it figured out. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Also want to add that no one talked to me, I didn't beep or get stopped when I walked past the store security.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    California
    Posts
    20,594

    Default Re: Stress + Rental Car Time Running Out = Accidental Theft :(

    If you bring something back or return to pay for something, I doubt that anyone is going to arrest you at the store. While it MIGHT happen, I would think it unlikely. However, if you wait until you are contacted by the store or the police, and THEN try to claim, "I know about that, honestly, i was going to pay them back!" I suspect the claim will fall on deaf hears. Going back of your own accord to correct an error can go a long way to try and mitigate the element of intent required for theft.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Stress + Rental Car Time Running Out = Accidental Theft :(

    Thanks for the advice, so you think it won't be as easy as going in, explaining the situation, paying for the stuff and that being that? Don't mean to sound naive...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    8,006

    Default Re: Stress + Rental Car Time Running Out = Accidental Theft :(

    No, he's saying that is the best thing to do.

    If you wait until the police come calling, that is when things will be difficult,

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    California
    Posts
    27

    Default Re: Stress + Rental Car Time Running Out = Accidental Theft :(

    If they didn't detain you outside the store, they are not going to do it now. They have no proof to take to court that you took anything out of the store that you didn't pay for. Right now the most they have is the word of two clerks that maybe you left with some things you may not have paid for. The time to get that evidence was when you walked outside the store, by checking the items in your cart against the receipt.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Lake Chapala
    Posts
    3,043

    Default Re: Stress + Rental Car Time Running Out = Accidental Theft :(

    Are you callaty from FA?

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