Shoplifting in PA

[bigdaddybergie]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

My son and 3 other boys stopped at a local gas station on the way to school. My son picked up a candy bar and put it in his pocket. He is standing at the checkout counter, 2nd in line, and as his 2 friends go to leave, they are told to stop. They do, the clerk then goes to my son and accuses him of stealing the candy bar, which is the only thing he had, and he was standing in the checkout line. If he never left the store, never tried to leave the store, and was standing in the checkout line,, with nothing to pay for BUT the candy bar, how can he be stealing? The police would not charge him because he didn't try to leave the store, and the store said they will file civil charges against him for theft. How can you steal when in line to pay with the only item you have( candy bar) if you did not attempt to leave?

 

[Isis1]

That's a question you'll have to ask in the event you get sued. Now, my gut instinct says the kid gave you his story, but given the police didn't press charges, I'm inclined to believe the child this time. Get a copy of the police report, submit a copy of the report to any response you get from the store itself.

And teach kiddo not to put anything in his pants until after he's paid for it to avoid future misunderstandings.

 

[cyjeff]

In most jurisdictions, concealment is equal to stealing.