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Picked up by security guards for shoplifting

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helpinNC

Junior Member
I live in NC

I just moved to NC 2 days ago and was picked up outside on the sidewalk for supposedly shoplifting from Walgreens, heres the story.

We live across from a huge outdoor mall owned and developed by the same company that built our apartments. I, my fiancé and her family went out that day to buy her some new suits for work. On our way back we decided to stop by the outdoor mall to see if they had anything else there. While the women shopped i ventured out to coldstone creamery and on my way to barnes and noble i was approached by two security guards who surrounded me and asked if i had been to walgreens that day. I answered no i have never been to that store before. They then told me that i was observed shoplifting from the store by an associate and insisted that i come with them to view the tape. I felt i had no choice but to go with them plus i was innocent so i had nothing to fear. well as soon as i was escorted into the store the manager insisted i was the guy and one associate also said i was him. so i was taken to the backroom and then back out to the front of the store were the video tape was played in front of everyone. the perp who supposedly shoplifted was wearing blue jeans, a tan coat and a beige sweater which i also happened to be wearing. the incident also occurred at 2:30 pm and i was across town at that time. I didn't arrive at the mall until 3:15 pm and they pulled me off the street at 3:20-3:30 pm. it wasn't until i pointed out that the perp did not have a hood on his jacket while i had a hood that the manager let me go very grudgingly and without an apology for the humiliation i suffered. I feel very wronged and embarrassed. So i was wondering what steps i could take if any.
 


dallas702

Senior Member
Yeah, you could hire a lawyer and slap a suit on them, but you have to prove actual damages. You could force Walgreen's to review their security procedures, though. In most cases the guard/security moron has to follow you out of the store or be there when you come out...not try to pick you out on the street sometime later. The manager should have been kissing your ass all the way home.

Of course, a few sleepless nights, a good lawyer and a good psychiatrist could get you a few hundred thou. these days. Tell them you have developed erectile dysfunction from the embarassment. Your wife can affirm.
 
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helpinNC

Junior Member
I have contacted the distract manager but was unable to speak with him. I might be pursuing defamation of character since i was humiliated in front of the whole store, its customers and the mall patrons.
 

stephenk

Senior Member
" I might be pursuing defamation of character since i was humiliated in front of the whole store, its customers and the mall patrons."

Do you know any of them? If not, how has your character been harmed in front of strangers?
 

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