I went into the dressing room with a total of 8 items. The guy double counted and I should have took notice to that because they usually never do that. I brought extra items in because I wanted to walk out looking like I didn’t take anything. I was going to take a dress, a tank top, and two shirts. I ripped the magnetic sensors off and took off the tags. I put the tank top ($58) and one of the shirts ($16) into the inner lining that had previously ripped due to a zipper malfunction and hid it there. I placed the tag into the clothing I was not going to take and wrapped the magnetic sensors into tissue paper I had in my bag to dispose once I got out of the fitting room. As I walked out, SURPRISNGLY the guy counted my items and as he took them from my hands, the tags fell off. The manager was right next to him so she took the items and asked me how did they appear there? I told her that I had no clue and I didn’t even try on the skirt with the tags that fell off from. She left and after that as I left the store the ringer rang which I thought was IMPOSSIBLE because I had no magnetic sensors or tags on me. They took me to the back room and searched my bag and found the shirt and the tank top. I confessed and they took all my information down excluding my social security number. I am sixteen years old by the way and they were going to release me to my parents, but my parents were unreachable. They told me they were going to fine me and send it to my address. They called security, but security didn’t do anything, but stand there. The manager gave me a number to call if I have any questions. I did not sign any papers. As security escorted me out of the mall, I asked him, on average how much would the fine be. He told me that chances are I would not get fine because in order to get fine, security would have to write a report and they didn’t do anything, but stand there. Is this true? and on average, how much would my fine be, if I am to get fined? Will I have to go to court?
I would like answers from people familiar with Loss Prevention or Law Enforcement, or previous shoplifters. Thanks.
Oh and the magnetic sensors that I took off and placed in tissue paper. I took that out and gave it to my friend to dispose of, so as I walked out of the store, they were not present in my bag, but somehow the door still rang? I don’t get it? and when they searched me, all they took was the shirts. Do they have an manual ringer to the door to catch me? and as I was walking in and out of the door, so was the worker. I heard that when workers leave the store, it also rings?!
I live in California by the way.
If what you say is true, then you are very lucky. If we stop a minor (under 18) and the parents are unreachable, or they won’t give their parents info, we refer them to the police department automatically, and they go to jail, where the cops will ultimately reach their parents anyway.
I’m not sure why security didn’t do anything, but they may have had their reasons; i.e. busy, not wanting to deal with a minor case, etc. If the manager gave you a number to call if you have any questions, you will be getting a fine. That’s what we tell people as they leave. You’ll get a letter from the company within a few weeks.
Consider yourself lucky, and if you’re going to steal again, just don’t do it once you turn 18, you will have a criminal record for LIFE.
Good luck.
you are sick.
References :
I never shoplifted in my life but my friend has and she was 16 at the time too. She invited me to go shopping with her and I’m glad I didn’t end up going (not that I would shoplift anyway). On the day that she shoplifted she got away at Hollister but when she was at Sears, she was caught. The manager contacted her parents and her parents came immediately there to talk to the manager. She had to go back to Hollister and refund the items she stole and apologize and obviously to Sears. They wrote all her information down and in the end she had to serve time = volunteer work for a set of hours (depends on your situation and how much moneys worth you stole) and she had to write an essay why she shoplifted and why it’s bad and that she would never do it again.
Hope this helps.. And hopefully you learned your lesson to not shoplift every again.
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My sister got busted for something like this, she was being stupid with the neighbors kid. They’re just going to send you a bill and indicate that if you don’t pay the bill, then they’re going to try to prosecute you in court. So its VERY important that you pay the bill that you’re going to receive through the mail. BTW my sister caught caught taking a stupid bracelet that was worth 5 bucks, but the bill was for 50 dollars. Since you took a lot more stuff, they could probably send you a bill that goes up in the hundreds of dollars maybe even 500, but no matter how much, it will beat you being sent to prison or having a criminal history…
If you ever get arrested or convicted of ANYTHING, especially crimes that reflect poorly upon your trustworthiness, you can literally kiss any decent job goodbye. There’s nothing people/society hates more than a thief, petty or not…..
Consider yourself VERY LUCKY…… And never ever do this crap again. Seriously, its not worth the trouble. and if you really like something, but don’t like the pricetag, buy the damn thing online.
References :
If what you say is true, then you are very lucky. If we stop a minor (under 18) and the parents are unreachable, or they won’t give their parents info, we refer them to the police department automatically, and they go to jail, where the cops will ultimately reach their parents anyway.
I’m not sure why security didn’t do anything, but they may have had their reasons; i.e. busy, not wanting to deal with a minor case, etc. If the manager gave you a number to call if you have any questions, you will be getting a fine. That’s what we tell people as they leave. You’ll get a letter from the company within a few weeks.
Consider yourself lucky, and if you’re going to steal again, just don’t do it once you turn 18, you will have a criminal record for LIFE.
Good luck.
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I am a loss prevention undercover agent.
I hope you stop after this.I was fined $435 but this was when I was 15 and I’m 19 now. They took down my info and my parents came and picked me up no security took me out.
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First, you should know better! Do you realize if you end up charged w/this it will possibly affect things like if you ever want to apply for the military???
Second, never give out your SS# to anyone, unless your parents okay it. You need to protect that information. Talk to your parents about that and make sure the store destroys that info. or they can be held accountable for that getting into the wrong hands.
I’m not sure why they didn’t call the cops…maybe they will file the report tomorrow based upon your confession.
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You did a really bad thing today. It seems like your not even remorseful, but only afraid that you will be caught or be made to pay. Not once did you say you were sorry. Stealing is WRONG. It hurts everyone because those costs are eventually passed down to consumers. Shame on you
References :
Jimeny Cricket