Hello..
Here's the cliff notes version.
My wife works for a merchandising company. She has been working at a Winn Dixie here in La. resetting merchandise. Yesterday she saw a few items she wanted to purchase, and placed them by her work stuff (a stepstool, and tool bag) The items in question were very large, and were placed in plain view. She also had a few small items (batteries etc.), and she placed these in the outside pocket of her work bag (yes, I know, not the smartest thing to do) Anyhow, the manager was standing right by her when she did this. She was going to purchase the items on her lunchbreak and then bring them out to the car. Anyhow, he calls her in his office about 30 min later, and asks here what she took, and put in her bag. She says she had the batteries and whatnot, and she told him she was intending to purchase the items in question along with the large items by her work area. He (very rudely apparently) told her to shop after she finished her work and not during. Okay, point taken. He asks if she has enough money to pay for the items, she replies yes, I'll go pay for them right now if you want, bring them to the car. The manager says no, he's got to go talk to her supervisor. Moments later, the police arrive and question her. Manager demands she be arrested, and she gets written up for "THEFT OF GOODS".
Now, she offered to pay, never denied having the stuff in her bag, half of the items were in plain site on the floor NEAR her work stuff, and were too big to sneak out of the store anyway. He said having it near was proof of intent. Whatever.....
Anyhow, she has been banned from Winn Dixie, so shes' out of work for 3 weeks because of this jackass.
Can we fight this?? The total of the items in question is $56.00. And most of them were not concealed in any way. She offered to pay for everything, and did not offer any resistance, even though she knew she was innocent.
How does "THEFT OF GOODS" differ from "SHOPLIFTING"
She never took any items out of the store, and the only think that was concealed were the small items. That was dumb putting them in her bag, even though they were in an outside pocket, sticking out so you can see them.
I just worry about an overzealous manager, and a hanging judge convicting her, and us having to pay out the nose, and her having a criminal record, which she currently doesn't.
Thanks for any advice!

