Shoplifted, Followed by Cop, but Never Pulled Over

[gyrisulci]

This happen in New Jersey

a friend of mine called me last night in a panic. she had left target earlier, switching the shoes she was wearing for a new pair, but said they looked nothing alike, so it was probably obvious... dumb! she bought another pair of shoes and left the store without a second glance. got in her car and drove to the gas station a little ways down the road, when she left to pull out she noticed a cop that seemed to be waiting behind her and then followed her out. she went through a few lights, then pulled into a CVS. cop went by her and then turned back around. drove by her again on the cross street and then turned back around towards her again. she then lost sight of him and decided to drive off. she has no clue if there is a connection there, but she couldn't think of any other reason. and she couldn't figure out why she didn't get pulled over. now she is worried she is going to be pull over and arrested for the shoplifting next time she drives through that area, is that possible? what is the worst that can happen? what typically happens if she was caught on camera and they have her licenses plate number?

[Mr. Knowitall]

Her best bet is to both stop stealing and stay away from the Target.

Beyond that, she rolled the dice, and she'll have to deal with whatever happens as a result.

[gyrisulci]

Thank you for replying, but that does not really answer my question.
Is it possible she could be pulled over and arrested for the shoplifting? Or, what is likely to happen?
Thanks

[BOR]

Is it possible she could be pulled over and arrested for the shoplifting? Or, what is likely to happen?
Thanks

The crime must be committed in the officer's presence to be arrestable on the spot.

IF there is no warrant, then no, an arrest can not be made from now on, pulled over or not.

If evidence arises to charge, they can file for a warrant, then arrest, OR send a Summons in the mail or deliver it.

[gyrisulci]

thank you for your response!
another question...
i'm not sure how much the shoes she stole cost.. I'm guessing somewhere between $30-70?
what is the likelihood of Target ordering a summons or a warrant for that amount?

o and one more question... i know no one can give a definite answer for this, but what is the likelihood that the cop apparently following her had any correlation with the shoplifting? she said that he/she could have pulled her over, but did not. would target have called the police to look for the license plate before a warrant/summons was order?

[BOR]

thank you for your response!
another question...
i'm not sure how much the shoes she stole cost.. I'm guessing somewhere between $30-70?
what is the likelihood of Target ordering a summons or a warrant for that amount?

I don't think the amount, high or low is material. If they file a theft complaint with evidence, and the police have probable cause to charge, they may.

o and one more question... i know no one can give a definite answer for this, but what is the likelihood that the cop apparently following her had any correlation with the shoplifting? she said that he/she could have pulled her over, but did not. would target have called the police to look for the license plate before a warrant/summons was order?

In most states, there is no grace time to effect a warrantless arrest for theft not committed in thier presence, although my state has one.

Calling may have been possible yes, but an on spot arrest, unless in a state that permits it, no.

To correlate the theft with the police following is not likely, IMO.

[gyrisulci]

Thank you very much again for your response

What would probable cause be?

Would it be suspicion of her shoplifting at other times?

I've never heard of anything like this happening to someone, but I guess it does?

[BOR]

Thank you very much again for your response

What would probable cause be?

Would it be suspicion of her shoplifting at other times?

I've never heard of anything like this happening to someone, but I guess it does?

PC is generally defined as a reasonable belief a crime has been committed and the person charged committed it.

It does not need to rise to the level of "beyond a reasonable doubt" as in a court of law.

Priors have no bearing on arrest unless there was a warrant out before.