Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Caught Shoplifting In Chicago, Illinois

[farianremix]

Hi everyone,

I got caught shoplifting in chicago at a grocery store. I slipped some cheese and apples into my jacket pocket. The store manager came and within a minute surrounded me with about five or six employees like they were going to stop me from walking anywhere. Can they do that surround me and prevent me from walking anywhere? Furthermore, the manager says open your jacket. Being stupid and not thinking I pulled the items out of my pocket. At this point did I have to do what he said? Do I have certain rights like did I have to show him what i had or could i just walk out of the store assuming the people surrounding me had no right to block me in a circle? Do they have a right to search me or call the police and in that time I have the freedom to leave the store? If they want to build a case against me they would have to use the cameras? They have cameras but I wasn't dumb enough to do it in view of the cameras the only thing they could have built a case on was the fact my pockets were puffed out. Back to the story, after pulling out the items I said I am paying for these. He said no you are stealing and called the police while i stood there like an idiot. Furthermore, the manager confronted me before I left the store so he had no idea whether i had an intent to pay or not. He confronted me in an isle of the store. I mean I wouldnt have anything to say why i had it in my pocket which matter of factly I dont either but I was going to pay because cheese and apples only amount to about $3.00. So i got arrested and the police walked me out of the store. I was released and now I am guessing am waiting for a court date in the mail. Can someone please answer all of my questions and finally tell me whether I can be arrested even though i didnt walk out of the store with the items. PLEASE PROVIDE LITERATURE IF AVAILABLE OR IF YOU KNOW IF THERE IS A PREVIOUS CASE. Furthermore, can someone please provide me with a good reason i can say as to defend myself for why i decided to put the food in my pocket. maybe something you have heard or know of someone who cleared themselves. I dont want it on my record in case i want to apply for the job. I am above 30 years old if that helps. Thanks to anyone in advance.

 

[thelawjournal]

Nothng in your post seemed illegal. However to be safe I have a suggestion. Since your post is filled with questions why not post them in a fashion we can address like example below

. question 1
. question 2

so on and so forth. Then we can address each question rather than miss one in your post. Once more nothing in your post seemed odd or unlawful but I feel it wise to post your question so each one can be answered

 

[farianremix]

Hi everyone,

I got caught shoplifting in Chicago at a grocery store. I slipped some cheese and apples into my jacket pocket. The store manager came and within a minute surrounded me with about five or six employees like they were going to stop me from walking anywhere.

Question 1: Can they do that surround me and prevent me from walking anywhere?

Furthermore, the manager says open your jacket. Being stupid and not thinking I pulled the items out of my pocket.

Question 2: At this point did I have to do what he said?
Question 3: Do I have certain rights like did I have to show him what i had or could i just walk out of the store assuming the people surrounding me had no right to block me in a circle?
Question 4: Do they have a right to search me or call the police and in that time I have the freedom to leave the store? If they want to build a case against me they would have to use the cameras?

They have cameras but I wasn't dumb enough to do it in view of the cameras the only thing they could have built a case on was the fact my pockets were puffed out. Back to the story, after pulling out the items I said I am paying for these. He said no you are stealing and called the police while i stood there like an idiot. Furthermore, the manager confronted me before I left the store so he had no idea whether i had an intent to pay or not. He confronted me in an isle of the store. I mean I wouldnt have anything to say why i had it in my pocket which matter of factly I dont either, but I was going to pay because cheese and apples only amount to about $3.00. So i got arrested and the police walked me out of the store. I was released and now I am guessing am waiting for a court date in the mail.

Question 5: Can I be arrested even though i didn't walk out of the store with the items.

Can someone please answer all of my questions PLEASE PROVIDE LITERATURE IF AVAILABLE OR IF YOU KNOW IF THERE IS A PREVIOUS CASE.

Furthermore, can someone please provide me with a good reason i can say as to defend myself for why I decided to put the food in my pocket. Maybe something you have heard or know of someone who cleared themselves. I don't want it on my record in case i want to apply for the job. I am above 30 years old if that helps. Thanks to anyone in advance.

 

[thelawjournal]

Question 1: Can they do that surround me and prevent me from walking anywhere?

Yes they can

Question 2: At this point did I have to do what he said?

It would have made things easier

Question 3: Do I have certain rights like did I have to show him what i had or could i just walk out of the store assuming the people surrounding me had no right to block me in a circle?

they had the legal right to detain you in an attempt to look for their merchandise. You had right to refuse. They had right to contact Police and have then search you

Question 4: Do they have a right to search me or call the police and in that time I have the freedom to leave the store? If they want to build a case against me they would have to use the cameras?

See last answer

Question 5: Can I be arrested even though i didn't walk out of the store with the items.

Depending on circumstances and state law yes

If your looking to get out of this that isnt likely going to happen. However start consulting Attorneys see what they think

 

[StoreDetectiveVet]

I got caught shoplifting in Chicago at a grocery store. I slipped some cheese and apples into my jacket pocket. The store manager came and within a minute surrounded me with about five or six employees like they were going to stop me from walking anywhere.

Question 1: Can they do that surround me and prevent me from walking anywhere?

Yes.

Furthermore, the manager says open your jacket. Being stupid and not thinking I pulled the items out of my pocket.

Question 2: At this point did I have to do what he said?

No, but they would have held you there until police arrived. Thus the 5 or 6 guys.

Question 3: Do I have certain rights like did I have to show him what i had or could i just walk out of the store assuming the people surrounding me had no right to block me in a circle?

See above

Question 4: Do they have a right to search me or call the police and in that time I have the freedom to leave the store? If they want to build a case against me they would have to use the cameras?

No need for cameras. The word of a retailer is just as good.

They have cameras but I wasn't dumb enough to do it in view of the cameras

Or so you think. Just because you can't see a camera, doesn't mean a camera can't see you.

the only thing they could have built a case on was the fact my pockets were puffed out.

Or the fact an employee/customer/camera saw you do it.

Back to the story, after pulling out the items I said I am paying for these. He said no you are stealing and called the police while i stood there like an idiot.

Why does that make you an idiot? Better than trying to fight 5-6 guys.

Furthermore, the manager confronted me before I left the store so he had no idea whether i had an intent to pay or not.

You had concealed merhcandise, that is intent to steal.

He confronted me in an isle of the store. I mean I wouldnt have anything to say why i had it in my pocket which matter of factly I dont either, but I was going to pay because cheese and apples only amount to about $3.00.

I've had people steal less.

So i got arrested and the police walked me out of the store. I was released and now I am guessing am waiting for a court date in the mail.

Yes.

Question 5: Can I be arrested even though i didn't walk out of the store with the items.

Yes.

furthermore, can someone please provide me with a good reason i can say as to defend myself for why I decided to put the food in my pocket. Maybe something you have heard or know of someone who cleared themselves.

Can't think of one

I don't want it on my record in case i want to apply for the job.

You should have thought of that before you tried to steal.