C
Con-fused
Guest
I was accosted by security on my way out of a Target, and taken in back for questioning. I showed them my shopping bag, my receipt, the contents of my pockets, and was frisked repeatedly. At one point a security personnel
walked in with a half-opened box of a home pregnancy test, which I had NEVER EVEN SEEN before, let alone handled. This really scared me, and after that I had no idea what they'd be capable of. The only explanation I can think of for their zeal was the fact that I was in the store for a long time due to a deluge that was going on outside, and that I had carried around a couple items that I decided to put back at the last minute before hitting the checkout. Also the storm caused a sudden power outage while I was in there, leaving the lighting a little dim which may have rattled the guards somehow. I don't know.
My question is two-fold. First, what are the rights of a private security force like that, as far as how long they can detain you without calling police, whether they can take your picture without your consent (which they did), and any other major ways their authority differs from the police.
Secondly, I recently received by mail a demand for restitution, indicating the matter was not over. They gave me a dollar amount, but did not say what I was accused of stealing. They gave me the option of disputing the claim in writing, which I obviously did. My question is, what's likely to happen next? Should I expect a knock on my door from the police, based on something the store's security fantasizes they saw on a videotape? Can I still be arrested, even though they checked me at the store and let me go? I have never stolen or even been accused of stealing anything before in my life.
Any expert help will be appreciated. Thanks.
walked in with a half-opened box of a home pregnancy test, which I had NEVER EVEN SEEN before, let alone handled. This really scared me, and after that I had no idea what they'd be capable of. The only explanation I can think of for their zeal was the fact that I was in the store for a long time due to a deluge that was going on outside, and that I had carried around a couple items that I decided to put back at the last minute before hitting the checkout. Also the storm caused a sudden power outage while I was in there, leaving the lighting a little dim which may have rattled the guards somehow. I don't know.
My question is two-fold. First, what are the rights of a private security force like that, as far as how long they can detain you without calling police, whether they can take your picture without your consent (which they did), and any other major ways their authority differs from the police.
Secondly, I recently received by mail a demand for restitution, indicating the matter was not over. They gave me a dollar amount, but did not say what I was accused of stealing. They gave me the option of disputing the claim in writing, which I obviously did. My question is, what's likely to happen next? Should I expect a knock on my door from the police, based on something the store's security fantasizes they saw on a videotape? Can I still be arrested, even though they checked me at the store and let me go? I have never stolen or even been accused of stealing anything before in my life.
Any expert help will be appreciated. Thanks.