Will I Recieve Shoplifting Charges Soon?

[wvp4]

Two or three days ago a friend of mine and I were at a Toyrs R Us store with this girl that we know. We entered the store and walked near the back of the store, where I said hold on and went down an aisle to look at something. After this I went to the video game section with my other friend (not the girl), and I didn't know where the girl was. Eventually she came to us with something in her hands, and I said were leaving put it back and she went and talked to my friend then left, I thought she was putting it back. I played ps3 for a bit in the store and when she didn't return to us we walked out of the store. About 30 feet from the entrance to the store i turn around and shes running out the front doors with this thing in her hand, it wasn't new it was a used product that was out of the box as a sample, and she had stolen it and ran. Since I had been with her I panicked, and I didn't know what to do so I ran to my car and we all left. Between the entrance to the building and my car were employees, and as I drove away I saw them run into the store.
Now it's been two days, I have heard nothing, but I am wondering, what will happen? I don't know if the employees got my license plates or not but I highly doubt it because I drove away fast and I was far from them, but does anyone know if there were cameras in the parking lot that may have gotten my license plate? Also is this still shoplifting, and what are the possible outcomes of this situation? I am 17 in New York. No prior offenses with the law at all, I work part-time and have pretty decent grades as well as being in all advanced classes.

[panther10758]

Based on your version of events its highly unlikely they could charge you as you were not with the young lady entire time. However it i possible they got your plates and you might get a visit some time in the future. also if your version of events are slightly different than store they could charge you! The visit from Police, call or letter can come at any time. Could be days, weeks even months

[saikuhatamaki]

Two or three days ago a friend of mine and I were at a Toyrs R Us store with this girl that we know. We entered the store and walked near the back of the store, where I said hold on and went down an aisle to look at something. After this I went to the video game section with my other friend (not the girl), and I didn't know where the girl was. Eventually she came to us with something in her hands, and I said were leaving put it back and she went and talked to my friend then left, I thought she was putting it back. I played ps3 for a bit in the store and when she didn't return to us we walked out of the store. About 30 feet from the entrance to the store i turn around and shes running out the front doors with this thing in her hand, it wasn't new it was a used product that was out of the box as a sample, and she had stolen it and ran. Since I had been with her I panicked, and I didn't know what to do so I ran to my car and we all left. Between the entrance to the building and my car were employees, and as I drove away I saw them run into the store.
Now it's been two days, I have heard nothing, but I am wondering, what will happen? I don't know if the employees got my license plates or not but I highly doubt it because I drove away fast and I was far from them, but does anyone know if there were cameras in the parking lot that may have gotten my license plate? Also is this still shoplifting, and what are the possible outcomes of this situation? I am 17 in New York. No prior offenses with the law at all, I work part-time and have pretty decent grades as well as being in all advanced classes.

There is a chance that they got your license plate and there may have been cameras so i would probally go and return the item and apologize and explain what had happened and what you did was wrong.

[usedbranflakes]

...and time to get some more responsible friends or have your friend's parent's lawyer return the stolen item.

LP will ask around if they have associates your age. If any of your friends or friends of your friends or high school classmates work for them they may find you.

[wvp4]

Well I want to take it back personally, although the other party involved may not want to; and I am wondering if I have somebody drive us out there and then I take the product and walk into the store and go to the first employee I see and give it to them and give a quick explanation of what happened and then leave, will it still be possible for them to press charges? Is there a chance if I do that and just walk in and return it and tell them, they will call the police and detain me there? If so would there be any charges I would be able to be convicted of at that point? I thought although they may call the police or ask some questions there was no crime I would be convicted of, but my friends aren't convinced. Also, do you think they may try and stop me to ask questions? If they do I plan to just run, after handing the product back to the employee and telling them what happened.

[panther10758]

If you were seen or video taped and re enter store they can arrest you! If you want to return merchandise mail it to them with no return address or have your Lawyer return it