Anxious over shoplifting

[arizona1]

I live in AZ- So I am feeling really guilty over shoplifting- and fixing a price on a store item. I didn't get caught in the store, but I am anxious that I got taped doing it and now the police will come after me. I know the clerk suspected something because she watched me leave the parking lot. Can I be arrested if I was on tape? What can the clerk do at this point? Do I have to be caught in the store? I will never do this again- I feel terrible!

[pabloj2]

You may not want to go back to that store in particular.
However in most cases by store loss prevention usually has to stop you at the point of exiting the store after the transaction has taken place.
Then you have two crimes (sort of). One is the price switching.

Second is defrauding the store of monies it would have received for the item in particular.
The price difference.

Third is kinda like "thats not what you paid for" so in theory..your stealing the item. I can't really remember the actual law, stopped working for LP about two years ago.

Some stores will put the transactions on video and create a look out just in case it happens again.
What store was it ?

[The Occultist]

Although I hate to say this, but here's my opinion: don't do anything about this.

Pablo is incorrect in his belief (at least in AZ) that they need to stop you at the door to be able to press charges; they have at least a year to press charges against you.

If you try to do the "honest" thing and go back to the store to explain what you did, count on the store pressing charges against you. There will likely be no difference in punishment between turning yourself in and allowing the police to contact you first, but do note that the possibility exists that leniency may be granted if you turn yourself in.

I would recommend sitting down with an attorney. Local attorneys tend to know exactly how the courts operate, and as such present the highest potential for giving the advice that would benefit you most. Many attorneys will offer a free/cheap consultation, so take advantage of that and sit down with one or two of them to see what insight they may have to offer.

[FlyingRon]

"defrauding the store for the price of an item" IS shoplifting as far as the Arizona statutes are concerned. 13-1805 says removing the item OR paying less than the purchase price through some trick or artifice such as altering ... the price tag.

Frankly, don't do anything with respect to the store or the police without a lawyer. Whether you attempt restitution without either criminal or civil action being taken against you is for your conscience.

[arizona1]

This was a TJ Maxx- so I shouldn't do anything other than to never do it again and not go to that store anymore? Will the police come to my house to arrest me or can they? I am absolutely sick over this....and I don't know what to do other than to go to confession?

Please help..thanks

[InsaneJane]

I glad that you realize what you did was wrong, and getting away was just a flip of a coin.
Maybe the right thing to do is have someone return the item using the reciept of the lower price and Never go back to that store again.

[outonbail]

Originally Posted by InsaneJane

Maybe the right thing to do is have someone return the item using the reciept of the lower price and Never go back to that store again.

This will only involve another person in the situation/crime. Not a good idea if you ask me.

I say sit tight until the police come knocking. Then don't answer,,,


Remember how looking out the window, not being able to sleep and jumping whenever there's a knock at the door feels next time you get that urge to make your own price cutting sale.