My question involves criminal law for the state of: Missouri.
So my friend shoplifted from Walmart by taking something out of a box and putting another item inside that box, paid for the item that was supposed to be in the box and left. A week later he returned to that Walmart and did the same thing but just put something else inside the box along with the boxed item, however this time, police were outside, when he got to his car, he put the box inside his car and the cops asked him if he stole anything. He said no and they told him to open the box, so he did. He opened the box and dumped it out, that way the cops couldn't see what was in the box, but after he dumped it, they seen the bought item and the stolen item. He said that item was there from before, the thing is, the stolen item had a sensor wrapped around it, so he said he bought it off someone and was going to resell it. So my question has two parts. They said that walmart had him on camera taking something in a box (the first time) but didn't know what it was. So obviously they didn't see him actually put the item in the box on camera. So my question is 2 questions:
1. They don't have him on camera taking the first item or putting it in the box. They just "know" he took "something". So can they charge him for shoplifting?
2. Can he be charged for shoplifting the 2nd time if they don't have him on camera putting it in the box, and the cops didn't see actually it in the box, just seen it inside his vehicle and have no way to know if it was there before or not.
Also, they didn't give him any papers, but charged him for stealing and released him saying the DA would contact him and let him know if they're going forward with the case. Anyone have any advice on that? Besides the fact he's stupid for shoplifting. Thanks everyone!

