Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Need Advice

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mmzeus

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I worked at this store about 10 months. I was going to take sum power strips, put them in a bag by the trash bins outside. Once I got off work I decided not to take them, I had a pretty good relationship with my manager (so I thought) and didnt want to do really ruin that. I guess he found the power strips, I would have really preferred he spoke to me especially seeing that I did have a conscious and no taking the things especially because I knew he has done illegal things in the store, but next time I went in to work I was called into the back, was put on the phone with LP. The only other things I took the manager knew of, but it really wasn't things of value, we had a box full of scrap cables, adapters, etc. so I got permission to be able to take anything from there. Other than that I had a microphone, an s video cable, and another cable but the manager and I had a relationship to where I would take something and see if I needed it and if not I would put it back and if I did I purchased it. The only thing I didn't bring back was some zip ties that I did end up using and did forget to pay for. The other things were still in the package and perfect fine for retail sale. I wasn't charged with a conviction or anything like that, supposedly just an agreement between the store and I that was written and put into paperwork. The amount in total wasn't a lot, they said to bring back the items I had and they would subtract that from the total. So I was let go from the job, when I left that day I didn't get any paperwork, they said I had to make a payment and had a certain amount of time to make it. After I brought those things back they were going to subtract the amount the amount and then the paperwork would get faxed to LP and then I would get notified of the amount and where to send the payment (so I thought). I offered to make the payment there and then since I had some money in the bank but wasn't allowed to. So I never got notified in any way or form, of where to make the payment or the amount. This happened around March of this year. Today I get letter in the mail from the stores attorneys and saying I owe a disclosed amount of $842.98, I started to panic and get upset to say the least. I called my old store where I was employed and they weren't even sure if they had the paperwork but finally found a copy of something that said I owed $17.98 or so after the other items were subtracted. I talked to the manager and he had the exact same understanding I did, that corporate/LP was going to contact me after he faxed the paperwork to them. I am at a loss right now, I don't know what to do??? I mean how are you supposed to make a payment if you don't know the amount or address to end it to, any other time I have ever gotten in trouble or had to pay bills or fees there is always some paperwork you get. I got the number to the LP person that I talked to before, I called him twice today and left him a voicemail and still no response. Any advice? I would GREATLY appreciate it! Thanks =)
 
I suspect this money requested is Civil Demand. The Civil Demand amount can vary by state as each state may have different Civil Demand laws. This woud explain the large amount. Failure to pay could result in this fine tripiling or more. It could even result in law suit which could cost you thousands! Furthermore failure to pay could provoke them to file criminal charges. Contact the law firm ask them how they arrived at that figure and under what law they are seeking these monies. This will tell you if its Civil Demand or not.
 
yes this is what i intend to do as well. but i just dont understand how do i not get any paperwork or contacted by anyone? how is anybody supposed to know anything if they are not contacted through the side seeking the money about what amount to pay and where to pay it. i dont have that amount to pay and i feel as though i am screwed now, but that is bs! they didnt give me a dam thing! and it says on that letter that you cans et up payments then further down, any partial payments are charged with installation fees, wooooow even more screwed. even the manager himself understood things as i. thats why i wanted to talk to the LP guy that i talked to before. bu i will talk to the attorneys that sent me the letter tommorow and keep the thread updated. any further advice is greatly appreciated. thanks.
 
LP has"nothing" to do with this. Once they interview you get your confession etc they are done. Calling them will get you nothing. Not to be rude but you didnt care when you stole now you care when you think your being robbed! Internal theft accounts for over 43% of a retailers shrink! This is huge! Civil Demand laws vary and I suspect this charge is Civil Demand and its legal. The consequences for now paying can be severe. In short crime does not pay. Call the Lw firm that sent you the letter and read letter it might have a code on it that might help us answer you. It could also be a mistake and you only owe the $17.00
 
i talked the the law office and they said the same thing u did, lp has "nothing" to do with what is happening now. i dont understand what the civil demand is? i understand that if u dont pay now it will go to court but youd have to b a fool not to pay or make arrangements. does this go on ur record? they also said that "restitution component, covering the cost of the loss itself, and a civil penalty are included in the charge of $842.98". the letter states that statement is pursuant to Retail Theft Statute Section 720 ILCS 5/16A-7, illinois statutes. anyone have any advice? thanks.
 
I suspect it is restitution and civil demand. Even though you returned the items, they were not able to be resold at the full retail value and monies are owed to them.

Work out a payment plan with the law firm. Do not pay more than you can afford. You need to eat, so make payments that fit with the money you have. Often they will pressure you to pay large amounts which will put you in a bind. If you can pay them $50 a month, do it. Also, have them send you the agreements in writing. Work as hard as you can to put this behind you.

You sound like you are an intelligent person. You know what you did was wrong, and now you have to pay the penalty. Be glad that they did not involve the police. As far as a record goes, there are many components to that. It will definitely be in the companies record and you will not able to be employed by this company or its affiliates. I would also contact the store and see if they are a member of a Retail Theft Database. If you signed an admission and the theft database form (usually USMA formerly USIS) you will be put in that system and any companies which subscribe can find out about the incident.
 
paying this is def what im going to do, it would be more than ignorant and stupid if i didnt, to say the least. i will definitely look into if the company is part of a theft database. thanks for the advice guys! :)
 
Please update us in regards to your situation when you can. It will help others on the site that are going through the same or similar situations. Thanks again and good luck to you.
 
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