Was It Shoplifting or Just a Coincidence?

[mrm]

I am 30 years old.
Yesterday I was at Kohls shopping multiple items with my brother,his wife and his 20 month kid.

Just to manage the coupons I made single purchases at two counters. Now I had to go to the third counter to do the last checkout and in the mean time the kid started crying and as he was in my arms I have to come out of the shop.

My brothers wife bought the cart out thinking I have purchsed all. Now after handing the kid to mother I thougt of placing the purchased items in the car as they were big and return back to pay for the last item. When I was removing my items the security incharge came outside and called me in as she was thinking I was running away. The car was atleast 20 yards away and I never thought of running away. They called the police and he gave me a court date with $295 fine.

The video shows against me as it shows I am outside the store and removing the bags with the unpurchased item as it was on the top.

This is the first crime on my record. What is the best possible way to come out clean?

Any answers higly appriciated.

[Scruit]

Why do you need to go to three seperate counters to 'manage coupons'?

[cyjeff]

Why do you need to go to three seperate counters to 'manage coupons'?

Let me start by saying that this statement is in no reflection of the OP.

However, professional shoplifters will use a technique similar to this one so as to confuse store LP as to what was purchased.

Several purchases at different checkouts all in the same cart. This is classic smoke and mirrors.

Good LP trainings actually look for this behavior.

Again, I am not saying that is what the OP did. I am saying that is why the behavior sent up a red flag.

[mmmagique]

Ok, first, let me say that I don't believe the premise that the OP was going to go back in and pay for the item. Not believable.

But as far as the coupon thing, Kohls sends out coupons to certain customers (mostly cardholders) every once in a while. Some of the coupons are quite large. If the OP had one, and his sis-in-law had one, and his mother had one, and they were all good for say...40% off any one item...I can understand the coupon thing. (if you know someone who has a great coupon and isn't going to use it...)

But CyJeff has a good point as well...

[souperdave]

However, professional shoplifters will use a technique similar to this one so as to confuse store LP as to what was purchased.

Several purchases at different checkouts all in the same cart. This is classic smoke and mirrors.

Surprised at the fact that their multiple check-out ploy failed to work, the suspect goes phishing on law advice sites.....all the while incredulous that they were caught....after all, it had worked before!

Awesome LP work, IMHO!!!

[cyjeff]

LP aren't supposed to learn from the environment.

They are only supposed to look for people stealing packages of meat out of the store in their underware a la "Animal House".