Stealing Merchandise After a Personal Check Was Declined

[Canderson]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maine

So everything I was going to buy was rung up by the cashier. It wasn't quite $170.00 My personal check declined so she suspended the order and a manager came over. I asked him if he could override the decline and he said no. I believe the intent was for him to walk me to the service desk although I'm not positive. He walked fast and ahead of me. I had my cart - all bagged and the suspended "receipt" in hand. I stood at the customer service area. He was gone. I looked around a few times and there were people in line, the manager out of sight.

The guy at the door had no clue anything was up because I had the "receipt" in hand. I know there are cameras everywhere. I walked briskly to my car, threw everything in as fast as I could & left. Again, I know there are cameras.

What are the chances they'll track me down? I know my license is on file b/c I've written many checks before & they never ask for my license so therefore it's on record. How good are the cameras in the parking lot? Wouldn't the manager have to specifically recognize me if the loss prevention people go to him? Will the information in the system be my downfall? It's probably pretty easy to connect my check to my license and/or license plate number. What might happen?

I feel guilty enough that I'd go tomorrow & pay it with cash but I'm afraid that would just open a can of worms. PLEASE HELP! I know I am very bad for having done this.

[PandorasBox]

You need a Criminal Defense Attorney today.

Do not be surprised if you are visited by a police officer to arrest you.

Your info will be on file. I mean, gee, your name, address, phone number, and likely Drivers License number will be on the check, and the declined check will be on file. You will likely be on security tape. And it is very possible that the store had security camera in the parking lot, so your license plate and you will likely be on tape.

At this point...I would avoid any and all WalMarts/Sam's in your area. And if the cops come to your door, keep your hands in full view.

[jk]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maine

So everything I was going to buy was rung up by the cashier. It wasn't quite $170.00 My personal check declined so she suspended the order and a manager came over. I asked him if he could override the decline and he said no. I believe the intent was for him to walk me to the service desk although I'm not positive. He walked fast and ahead of me. I had my cart - all bagged and the suspended "receipt" in hand. I stood at the customer service area. He was gone. I looked around a few times and there were people in line, the manager out of sight.

The guy at the door had no clue anything was up because I had the "receipt" in hand. I know there are cameras everywhere. I walked briskly to my car, threw everything in as fast as I could & left. Again, I know there are cameras.

What are the chances they'll track me down? I know my license is on file b/c I've written many checks before & they never ask for my license so therefore it's on record. How good are the cameras in the parking lot? Wouldn't the manager have to specifically recognize me if the loss prevention people go to him? Will the information in the system be my downfall? It's probably pretty easy to connect my check to my license and/or license plate number. What might happen?

I feel guilty enough that I'd go tomorrow & pay it with cash but I'm afraid that would just open a can of worms. PLEASE HELP! I know I am very bad for having done this.

how did you end up with a receipt if your check was declined? The receipt is not printed until payment is tendered AND ACCEPTED. Given that Walmart uses check readers and if the check is not accepted, there is no receipt printed.

Sorry but this doesn't pass the smell test. I think the trolls have breached the walls.

[brownj12]

The receipt likely wasn't a receipt, I had problems getting a card reader to accept my card at Sam's club, the cashier suggested I try a different register she suspended the transaction, it printed what looked like a receipt, and had me take that to customer service. At the customer service desk, the scanned the bar code on the "receipt" and they were able to bring the transaction up at their register. I imagine this is exactly what the OP is talking about.

[PandorasBox]

I don't know how good WalMart's video is, but here is Casey Anthony shopping at Target and you can clearly see what she purchased and clearly see her signing the check. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62VAwKtkqMw

[jk]

The receipt likely wasn't a receipt, I had problems getting a card reader to accept my card at Sam's club, the cashier suggested I try a different register she suspended the transaction, it printed what looked like a receipt, and had me take that to customer service. At the customer service desk, the scanned the bar code on the "receipt" and they were able to bring the transaction up at their register. I imagine this is exactly what the OP is talking about.

then it wasn't a receipt but simply a tally of the items presented for purchase. It obviously did not indicate the receipt of payment (since none was tendered and accepted) ergo; it was not a receipt.



but since the OP had tendered a check and it was apparently run through the check reader, depending on why it was declined (unreadable or just outright denied), it would likely make a difference as to what information was retained in the computer system. If it was unreadable, depending on what could not be read, there may be no identifying information. If it was able to be read but denied for other reasons, there is likely plenty of identifying information to be able to find the OP.


on top of that, as op noted; there are a lot of cameras.

so, how good are the cameras?

Walmart didn't get to be the size they are by scrimping where it counts. Shrinkage is a huge issue so I suspect all the info needed to identify the OP is available from the video.

[Canderson]

So not trolling, jk. Wish I were. brownj12 was correct in that suspending the order means they can bring it up at another register or even a later time in the day (for example if someone leaves their wallet in the car...).

I want to make it right & drop off the cash but I figure I'll be arrested on the spot.


http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Ca...314_n.jpg.html

http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Ca...125_n.jpg.html

- - - Updated - - -

Oh crap. I just looked at the Telecheck slip and I'm definitely going to get caught. It's got my stupid checking account number on it. Does anyone think I should take in the cash? I won't have it until tomorrow.

[CourtClerk]

Do you honestly believe ANYONE on this forum is going to tell you to just go ahead and be a thief?

I hope you don't have children.

[Security Consultant]

Walmart has cameras at every register on the same post as the register (open) light. They are very good. The also have cameras all along their front end operation. I had an expert witness case and when reviewing the video I was able to see everything that was scanned (and not scanned) as well what was hand keyed. Extremely good clarity.

[jk]

Canderson;802500]So not trolling, jk. Wish I were. brownj12 was correct in that suspending the order means they can bring it up at another register or even a later time in the day (for example if someone leaves their wallet in the car...).

accepted but your use of the term "receipt" was erroneous and that is what I based my statement on.

Oh crap. I just looked at the Telecheck slip and I'm definitely going to get caught. It's got my stupid checking account number on it. Does anyone think I should take in the cash? I won't have it until tomorrow.

well, I guess that answers my question of whether the check data was readable.




as to what to do; the obvious is rather what you shouldn't have done but since you are where you are, it's really going to be your call. They can prosecute whether you pay the money or not. You already stole the merchandise and you can's undo that. Whether they will or won't prosecute and if paying it makes any difference, only they can answer that one.