Hello,
This happened to me just yesterday and I'm scared out of my wits with what will happen to me. My case is a little complicated which is why I am here looking for advice. So here's the horrible story:
I stole 2 items in NYC, one shirt from A/X and one shirt from Abercrombie and Fitch but i was not caught stealing these items in their stores. However, I went to a Michael's craftstore in Queens and was caught stealing $113 worth of things and while they searched my stuff, they found the 2 shirts and also accused me of stealing those - which i admited to because they used scare tactics on me (and i obviously fell for it).
They also asked me whether or not I have an acct on ebay, i admitted that i do and they asked me if i was going to sell the Michael's merchandise on ebay. I said that i wasnt going to sell the Michael's merchandise but when asked if i was going to sell the A&F shirt, I admitted that i was (that was stupid wasnt it?). He asked for my username AND email address to verify that i didnt sell Michael's merchandise (or so I think) but he also asked for a list of things that i usually sell on ebay which is a lot of Abercrombie clothing, some bags and other junk (I told him that these things were not stolen).
I did ebay research and ebay highly encourages invesigation and persecution done when someone suspects that a user is selling stolen property. My question is, does the Michael's undercover detective have jurisdiction to report me over to ebay???? Does he even have any jurisdiction to charge me for stealing AF's shirt too? Even though I admitted to stealing the AF shirt and selling it, does he have the right to enter my username and suspend my acct for the AF shirt on top of charging me for a misdemeanor for stealing at Michael's?
On a side note, he said that Abercrombie doesnt want me to come in their stores either, is that the truth or was he just saying that to scare me? He said he knows ppl at the 5th Ave location too.... and he called them (but it may have been a scare tactic.. again, im not sure).
I was caught red-handed at Michael's but not in AF or A/X's store.... I only did paper work at Michael's and the detective only gave the police 1 polaroid of the Michael's merchandise, not the shirts which was on a separate polaroid (the shirts still got detained at the precinct though). So i THINK im in the clear with the shirts, but what do the experts think???? Is it likely that i will get charged with selling stolen merchandise on ebay? Or will i get charged with stealing those 2 shirts too? Thank you so much for helping.
My other question is, will i be CONVICTED with the crime since i stole from multiple locations? The police kept telling me that they will give me a DAT (summons to go to court) and depending on the judge, I will most likely get an ACD (?) - basically be on probation for 6-9 months and the record would be cleared from me. But with my case.. i dont know if the judge will grant this!!! =X
Oh, This is my first offense and I'm in graduate school. Located in NYC.

