What is the Risk of Returning to Stores Where You Shoplifted

[swim]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: NY

I am writing on behalf of a close friend who is at loss of what to do.

He has developed a habit of drug use and at the time would enjoy the thrill of shoplifting items of high sums. The quantity from his information is not as large but
the value of each items are high and unsure but is over $10,000. Of the two locations he used to visit, one of them did not physically catch him but he believed he
was "caught" and they are aware of his actions. Having watched tape and evidence at the original store, he is fairly positive they are aware of his actions but not if
they will or have gone through previous tapes.

Location 2 being a similar type of retail, he was wondering would location 1 send the information to location 2 in which case would they be "suspicious" or go through
their tapes to see what he has possibly (when he did) shoplifted.

Would location 2 see the previous tapes as well?

My friend has quit all drug use and is now currently undergoing huge amounts of stress at possible prosecution. It has been about half a year since the incident and he has not been prosecuted but fears of the day police will show up to him or his parents. He would like to confess to his parents and to the store but is unsure who knows and to what extent and even if he were to repay the incredible sum of money, he fears for prosecution so is unsure what he can do to remedy if anything.

How long after the incident can they prosecute? and to prosecute is an ID and match with the footage required. If he avoids and does not enter those stores will it be safer and if for how long?

My buddy goes to grad school in a different state and location 1 has a store in the area that he goes to school (which is not NYC). Do stores sent out the face and warning to all stores and chains thus him having the need to avoid all?

Any help would reduce the stress and paranoia he has daily when he hears sirens or strangers or entering shops. I know deep regret isn't enough to remedy this but if there is anything that he can do it would be appreciated.

[Mr. Knowitall]

Your story is not credible. You can't walk in off the street and watch a store's security videos. If your friend saw the video, he's stealing from his employer (or you work for the employer and you're his accomplice, or it's you stealing from your own employer).

If in fact he stopped stealing 18 months ago and has not been caught, then odds are nothing is going to happen in relation to past theft.

Your obsession with his (your) going back to the stores where he (you) stole suggests that you intend to resume this criminal conduct. If you don't steal, after all, the worst that they can do is ask you to leave.

[adjusterjack]

Any help would reduce the stress and paranoia he has daily when he hears sirens or strangers or entering shops.

Only this. If he hasn't been arrested by now, it's likely that he won't be.

I know deep regret isn't enough to remedy this but if there is anything that he can do it would be appreciated.

What he needs to do is shut up and stop talking about this to anybody but his priest or lawyer. Confession may be good for the soul, but it guarantees a conviction.

He shouldn't even be talking about it to you. Anybody he talks to can be brought into court and be compelled to testify against him

How long after the incident can they prosecute?

The amounts appear to be felony levels so the authorities have a couple of years, maybe more.

If he avoids and does not enter those stores will it be safer and if for how long?

Avoiding the stores would certainly be a reasonable precaution. How long is anybody's guess.

Location 2 being a similar type of retail, he was wondering would location 1 send the information to location 2 in which case would they be "suspicious" or go through their tapes to see what he has possibly (when he did) shoplifted. Would location 2 see the previous tapes as well?

Doubtful, but you never know.

Bottom line, he's just going to have to sweat it out (deservedly so) for a few years. The more time that elapses since the thefts, the more likely that nothing will come of them.

[swim]

No he did not physically see the store's security videos but he believe that they are aware because he "messed up" yet wasnt "stopped". I am not sure on the details but maybe when his mother went to that store they contacted her and spoke to her telling that they are aware of his action(s?). Thats what I think but diddnt say since I do not know for certain and I dont think he would reveal something like that to me.

And it was half a year. 6 months not 18 months.

No this person is not me, I have gone with him and witnessed this and wanted to make a distinction that I may be charged with "knowing but not doing anything about it?" but he was the one who commited the act. I am highly sure that he has stopped. We both are under stress every once in a while since I didnt prevent it when I should and he did it.

I didnt know that I could be brought into court to testify against him... It was very dumb and this actions are ceased but it comes back to haunt us realizing that both are part of a crime.

I guess we both will have to sweat it out for a few years. Is the punishment for witnessing but not doing anything make me an accomplice? and what are the possible outcomes of this? (besides having to testify against him)

[cbg]

Then I guess you're going to have to stress it out a while longer, aren't you?

[swim]

yes. but this i believe is a valuable lesson for the rest of our lives about any immoral decision. but knowing a couple of years is still worrisome. do you think returning those stores as a normal customer on good behavior even if they are suspicious is okay? or avoid longer than 6 months and too soon considering the risks

[adjusterjack]

I have gone with him and witnessed this and wanted to make a distinction that I may be charged with "knowing but not doing anything about it?" but he was the one who committed the act.

You're an accessory to the crime. You can be prosecuted and sentenced to the same extent as your friend. But what typically happens is they drop or reduce charges against you to get you to testify against your friend.

yes. but this i believe is a valuable lesson for the rest of our lives about any immoral decision. but knowing a couple of years is still worrisome. do you think returning those stores as a normal customer on good behavior even if they are suspicious is okay? or avoid longer than 6 months and too soon considering the risks

Why do you keep harping on returning to those stores? Those stores have competitors where you can buy the same stuff elsewhere. If you stole from Walmart, shop at Target, if you stole from Home Depot, shop at Lowes. Ditto any other kind of store. There's always someplace else to shop.

[eerelations]

Agree with others. Why on earth are you so keen on returning to those stores?

[cbg]

(because he's anticipating the adrenaline rush of going back in and wondering if he'll get away with it or if he'll be caught. No doubt stealing still more, as well.)

[eerelations]

(because he's anticipating the adrenaline rush of going back in and wondering if he'll get away with it or if he'll be caught. No doubt stealing still more, as well.)

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