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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    4

    Default How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Indiana

    Today I did something really stupid, obviously. I shoplifted 2 perfumes from kohls, which prob totaled around a 90$ value. However, now I feel horrible and want to return the items. Would doing this prevent police from being able to come to my door and arrest me? I did it by taking them out of the boxes in the fitting room and leaving the boxes behind in the cart. I feel absolutely humiliated and ashamed and I don't want to feel this guilt anymore nor risk getting caught by police having survelliance and my license plate number from parking lot cameras.

    Please let me know how to go about returning these items or what I should do asap. Should I just mail hem with no return address, or with a note saying i'm sorry and returning the items?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    138

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    Returning the items may ease your mind but will not erase the crime. You could still be prosecuted for theft. My advice to you would be to not return the items (this could place you in harm's way) and just never go back to that store. The probability that you will be pursued for this is very low. The most that would happen is that the store would remember you and watch out form you next time.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    Thanks for your response...I actually didn't sleep at all last nite because of this. I really think that honestly, I was led to this site for a reason. I see this in a completely different light now, how it really does hurt retailers...I guess I'd never really taken a deep thought into how shoplifting actually devastates the economy. I just feel so horrible about it and I am still worried sick that they will read my plates and come after me. I came out of a dressing room and left the empty boxes in plain sight in a cart, wtf was i thinking? I am at college, my car is registered under my parents an hour and a half back home so I guess I'd be getting a call from them if the police were to show up at their house asking about me. Would kohl's have to contact police here to contact police in my hometown or how exactly would that work? Again, what are the chances of this happening (it's a suburban college town) and if police do show what should I do, as far as admitting my guilt and what to say?

    Sorry for all the questions, again I just cannot sleep and I'm sick with shame and disgust at what I've done.

    Thanks.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    Okay, first, give yourself a break.

    If it hasn't happened by now, it probably won't.

    remember this feeling the next time you think about stealing...

    Give the perfume away if it bothers you.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Officially across the country from where I've been all my life
    Posts
    4,494

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    Why don't you put the bottles in a box and mail them back to Kohls with an unsigned apology letter.

    Returns the items to their rightful owner, and while it may not completely clear your conscience, it will do something in that way.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    So, are you saying that mailing them back won't help, but will only relieve my conscience? I'm just so afraid they're going to track me down...kohl's seems like their LP's are pretty hardcore...

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    I live here. Actually in a little area called the Knob. In Ohio
    Posts
    292

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    Quote Quoting sorry115
    View Post
    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Indiana

    Today I did something really stupid, obviously. I shoplifted 2 perfumes from kohls, which prob totaled around a 90$ value. However, now I feel horrible and want to return the items. Would doing this prevent police from being able to come to my door and arrest me? I did it by taking them out of the boxes in the fitting room and leaving the boxes behind in the cart. I feel absolutely humiliated and ashamed and I don't want to feel this guilt anymore nor risk getting caught by police having survelliance and my license plate number from parking lot cameras.

    Please let me know how to go about returning these items or what I should do asap. Should I just mail hem with no return address, or with a note saying i'm sorry and returning the items?
    Take the merchindise back into the store ask the speak to someone in loss prevention and explain what you did and give them the perfumes.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    138

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    BlueCrystal, that's really bad advice! Do you want this person to be arrested on the spot when returning the merchandise and confessing to theft?? Once again, do not return the merchandise. You have nothing really to beat yourself up about. Just never do this again--and don't listen to bad advice given here!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    I live here. Actually in a little area called the Knob. In Ohio
    Posts
    292

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    It's a matter of doing what is right. Most likely they will just be banned from the store and have to pay a civil demand. Ignoring the fact that they stole and promising themself that they will never do it again is a weak cop out.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SOMEWHERE NORTH OF NOYB
    Posts
    16

    Default Re: How to Return Stolen Merchandise

    Sorry115, DO NOT RETURN PERFUMES TO THE STORE!!!! You have obviously paid more than enough for your mistake, with all the worry, and beating yourself up. You do not need the chance of a possible criminal record, to be banned from a store, and to pay a civil demand, and worse be laughed at by store detectives, for being stupid enough to turn yourself in. Like I said before, you didn't kill anyone. You did something stupid, you got away with it, you feel horrible about what you did, and chances are you will never do such a thing again. Build a bridge, get over it, and move on.

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