My question involves criminal law for the state of: colorado
I went to Macy's today and did something very dumb. Please do not respond to this post with comments about how I'm a terrible person - I feel terrible about it and I've been paranoid ever since. I want to make up for the mistake that I made, but I'm afraid of the consequences (yes, I know that I deserve the consequences but I would like to forget this ever happened - I will NEVER be making this mistake again!)
I was shopping in Macy's and I took two items without security tags that add up to approximately $160. It happened on two separate trips to the dressing room. In each instance, I had multiple items in my hands, including clothes that covered the items I took, and I went into the dressing room to try the clothes on. I put one item into my bag during each trip (two items total), left the clothes in the dressing room, and put some of the other items (like wallets) back in the area where I found them.
Is there any way I can bring these back without suffering a penalty? I'm afraid that going back to the store will I feel so bad about it and I don't know why I did it. I'm also paranoid because I saw an employee walk into the dressing area as soon as I left, and when I was driving away in my car, I saw a mall security car at the crosswalk with its lights flashing. Also, even if they kept track of the number of items I brought in or what I brought in, how do they have proof that I took them? Couldn't I have technically left them in the dressing room and then someone else could have taken them?
I know that there's no guarantee that returning the items will not lead to a penalty. What is the best course of action? I'm afraid that returning the items in person will lead to a penalty, and I am 24 (old enough to know better), so I would probably not be let off with a warning.
Please let me know what the best course of action would be in this situation. I've heard stories that the police could show up at your house and arrest you if they have your license plate.

