Caught Shoplifting, Ended in a Possible Hit and Run

[iatesnowwhite]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: South Carolina

Hi everybody! I know I'm new here, so please bear with me. Yesterday SWIM [someone who isn't me], had gone into a local beauty shop with the intent to shoplift some hair color. SWIM had done the same thing before, but at the stores sister-store across town, without any complications. SWIM took the things they wanted and nonchalantly placed them into their pockets and made their way to the front of the store. SWIM wasn't obvious and didn't stand out, and made some small talk with the two employees that were up front. SWIM noticed the two large sensor alarms at the front of the store but didn't pay any attention to them because SWIM did not notice any tags on the things they were taking. They then proceeded to exit the store (SWIM had a friend with them), the friend passed through the sensor fine, but once SWIM went through it went off - very loudly.

Both employees that SWIM had seen earlier rushed to the front of the store and asked that SWIM step through the sensor again, he complied, stepped through once again, and it once again went off. The employees (who were both asian and didn't seem to speak much english), then asked him to come to them and so they could inspect his pockets. SWIM hesitated and started to move towards the exit, the friend had already gone to the car to get it started and ready to leave. As SWIM opened the door, the male employee violently grabbed onto SWIM's arm and started to pull him back into the store. SWIM was not about to let that happen so he proceeded to pull his way out the door and into the parking lot, with the employee's grip tightening every step of the way. Finally SWIM made it to the car, still dragging the asian man with him and trying to loosen his grip on SWIM's arm. SWIM tries to close the car door, but the employee wedges his foot in the door while still trying to pry SWIM from the car. The driver is now pulling out of the parking lot and the car is moving, all the while the employee has one foot in the door and one on the ground moving with the car. SWIM kept telling the man that he must've stepped on a tag or had a tag on him somewhere and that the man needed to let go immediately. The grip the man had on SWIM's arm was not letting up and the car was slowly gaining speed and distance from the store. Finally after SWIM had gotten about 100 yards from the store, SWIM forcefully pushed the employee from the car and the employee fell to the ground and remained there for quite some time until the other store employee ran to him.

SWIM isn't sure what happened afterwards, but is worried about the repercussions. What do you all think the possible consequences could be? The value of the merchandise does not exceed even $25, and it isn't a large chain store. There were cameras inside of the store that could possibly have gotten SWIM on video, but none outside (that SWIM saw atleast) that could have recorded the driver's license plate. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[PandorasBox]

SWIM....way too many details for someone who isn't you.

You and your friend will want to have Criminal Defense Lawyers on speed dial.

Since your friends plate number may have been caught or noted, your friend should be advised that the police may be knocking on the door.......

[mmmagique]

Man, he is looking at some hard core charges that could have been simple shoplifting...dumb dumb dumb...

[PandorasBox]

And his friend as an accessory and the driver.

I'm thinking:
Both will have charges of Burglary (since both were in the store, and one had the vehicle ready for SWIM).
Assault With intent to do great bodily harm (with the push the guy from the car thing). If not Attempted Murder.

Oh yeah.....both should have attorneys on speed dial for when the cops come knocking....

[PTPD22]

I'm thinking along the lines of robbery and felony assault...but, burglary could get thrown in, too...for both SWIM AND his accomplice. Maybe, if sentenced concurrently, 3-5 years in prison? And, all for $25 worth of hair products? Wow.