Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Please help! I'm in a confusing shoplifting situation!

[Rocnation951]

I stole a $30 book from Store name. I put it in my purse, put my Beats by Dre on my ears (headphones) and walked out. When the machine beeped, I pretended to not to notice/ hear. I got In my car and before I started the car. I saw an employee rush out writing down my license plate number. I stealthily threw the book on the floor of my car out of sight and stepped out and I asked him if there was a problem. He said I walked away after a machine beeped. I told him I didn't shoplift and this is ridiculous. I said I would follow him into the store and open up my purse. Even after I showed him my purse, he didn't look satisfied and just walked away. I walked out and now I'm getting paranoid. Im fearing that the employee wasnt convinced and is looking through the surveillance tapes to see if I shoplifted. Should I just go back tomorrow, speak to the manager privately, return the item, and apologize as sincerely as possible? I am a minor and dont want this to go on my record. I need advice for the best possible outcome! I definitely will not be doing this again..

Thanks
Justine
Xoxox

 

[shrinkmaster]

Return the item anonmously. If you walk in announce you stole something and return it they can still charge you.

 

[Rocnation951]

But they have my license plate and possibly surveillance of me putting the book in my purse. Can't they still tell the police?

 

[Rocnation951]

Do stores keep logs on each individual book based on an I'd number or something?
And how would I get the book inside? I woul have to pass the door and it would beep attracting attention to me the moment I step inside.

 

[shrinkmaster]

Yes they can. They can give that info to Police and file a complaint. Its really up to you on how you choose to deal with this. Yes you can contact Store Manager and tell him how sorry you are and that you wish to return book. He can accept that and let it go, he can accept that and file a civil demand claim but no criminal complaint, or he can do both. There is no simple solution which I realize is what your seeking. We dont have that kind of answer for you.

 

[shrinkmaster]

Do stores keep logs on each individual book based on an I'd number or something?
And how would I get the book inside? I woul have to pass the door and it would beep attracting attention to me the moment I step inside.

The methods stores use to fight theft vary by store. If your going to return book then contact Store Management and arrange return

 

[Rocnation951]

So I should just confess ,apologize, and and hope that the store manager respects my honesty and doesn't write me up?

 

[Rocnation951]

I spoke to rockinjoe and he said that police and Barnes and noble will not invest heir time into investigating a $30 book so I should just not go to Barnes and noble for a while.

 

[shrinkmaster]

This is more of a moral issue than legal one.Its up to you how you wish to deal with this. I can say users here and on our sister site have done this before with positive results. I cannot say that will be case with you only that others have return stolen items with positive results

 

[shrinkmaster]

I spoke to rockinjoe and he said that police and Barnes and noble will not invest heir time into investigating a $30 book so I should just not go to Barnes and noble for a while.

I dont know joe but he is advising you to keep stolen item? His moral make up is in question isnt it?

 

[Rocnation951]

He is a very popular, trusted, former loss prevention officer. He didn't advise me to keep the item, he said that I most likely wasn't going to be investigated. Since I'm not gonna be investigated, im not gonna take an unnecessary risk by admitting I stole the book. And about the morality, Barnes and noble is a huge, book selling corporation that can absorb a little cost. If it was a small business, I might reconsider

 

[shrinkmaster]

That is a very selfish comment. retailers lose over 15 billion each year to shoplifting alone and thats not even the bulk of their shrink.

 

[mightymoose]

The best advice anyone can give you is probably to just stop stealing.
If you want to return the book just have someone else do it for you.

 

[disagreeable]

I suggest you put on a pair of latex gloves, package the book in a post office mailer along with a note and send it back to the store. If you get caught, you returned it and know the method it was returned. If they don't catch you, you at least returned it.