I was accused by a store manager of shoplifting. I hadn't. He yelled at me to return his merchandise. I told him I couldn't return what I did not have. He grabbed me, spilling my drink all over me. Pulled me into an office. He told me the police officer, who was not really not a police officer, saw me. That "officer" was not in the room where I was detained and when I asked to talk to him, the manager refused. I asked him what it was it thought I had taken. He said he didn't know but if I didn't cooperate that he would call the police. I said, "I am not sure what you think I took but if it is under $50, the Dallas Police will not respond". That is the new policy as of 1/2013. They have used to make it look like the crime rate has gone down. Stores won't report it either because it is a about 10 pages of paper work and nothing happens. I worked retail. He said he could get an officer there. I said to go ahead and call. He did not. He had taken my purse and backpack and proceeded to go through my purse. I asked him to stop because he had no right to search my bag as he was not a police officer and even if he was without probable cause he was violated my 4th amendment rights. I tell him I would like my phone that is in my purse because I want to call an attorney.
He said he had me caught on video and asked me if I wanted to see it. I said I would like to see it. He doesn't show it to me. He asks me for my ID. I tell him I don't have an ID because it had been stolen. As I don't drive, it hasn't been a priority to get it replaced. He tells me it is against the law not to have an id. I say from what I understood, it is not a law to require citizens to have an ID. He goes through my wallet pulls out my visa check card and my target card without my permission.
When he finally realizes that I do not have anything, he has another person take my picture and then tells me to look in a video camera. He tells me that my image will be broadcast to all of the stores in Dallas which seems to me to be called guilty without due process.
I wondering if this is standard operating procedure. Or if I should call an attorney.
He said he had me caught on video and asked me if I wanted to see it. I said I would like to see it. He doesn't show it to me. He asks me for my ID. I tell him I don't have an ID because it had been stolen. As I don't drive, it hasn't been a priority to get it replaced. He tells me it is against the law not to have an id. I say from what I understood, it is not a law to require citizens to have an ID. He goes through my wallet pulls out my visa check card and my target card without my permission.
When he finally realizes that I do not have anything, he has another person take my picture and then tells me to look in a video camera. He tells me that my image will be broadcast to all of the stores in Dallas which seems to me to be called guilty without due process.
I wondering if this is standard operating procedure. Or if I should call an attorney.
