Hi,
I am 18 years old and I live in Oregon. This is regarding shoplifting at a Fred Meyer's.
Today, I went shopping at Fred Meyer's today with my father. While my father was shopping, I shoplifted a bottle of pills. I opened the bottle and dumped the pill in jacket pocket. I then hid the empty bottle on a shelf. I figured I got away with it, as I did not see anyone and could not see any security cameras. However, a couple of minutes later, a couple of Fred Meyer's employees with walkie talkies started following my around, so I guess someone saw me steal the pills. They kept several yards behind me, but I I could still hear what they were saying on the walkie talkies. I was really freaking out. My dad was done shopping and was at a checkout line. I walked past him and talked to him a little(not about the shoplifting). One of the employees that was following said into the walkie talkie something like "He is talking to his dad at the checkout line". I left my dad and wanted to hide the pills. I went walking around the store, and one of the employees was still following me. I grabbed the pills out of my pocket and put them behind some stuff on a shelf. I did not think the guy saw me do it, but after I walked off, he was looking around where I put the pills. I assume he found the pills, because after that, no one followed me. I rejoined my dad and left the store.
What I want to know is, are there going to be any consequences for this? The value was about $25. I did put the pills back, but since I opened the bottle, wouldn't that be destruction of property or something like that? I mean, I don't think they can resell pill that someone touched can they? Also, they saw me with my dad, and my dad used his credit card and his Fred Meyer's rewards card. Can or will they try to find me through my dad or otherwise? If I go back to that Fred Meyer's again, will they pick me up and turn me over to the cops? Will they or other Fred Meyer's have my picture or something, or can I go back to Fred Meyer's without worrying? I am going to try Fred Meyer's, or at least that one, from now on.
Also, I was wondering about something else. The guys following me were being REALLY obvious. I could hear exactly what they were saying. Were they being obvious to let me know they were one to me, and were trying to give me a chance to put what I stole back? Or were they trying to pick me up? They stopped following me and let me leave, so do they consider the matter closed?
I know it was really stupid, and being an adult now I can get in big trouble. This was not the first time I have shoplifted, but I do not intent to shoplift again, as this experience scared me a lot.
I am sorry for having such a long post. Please help me out here. I am not exactly sure what the penalty for shoplifting is, but I know it can't be good.
Thank you in advance for your help. Jorge

