I attempted to walk out of Target with a vacuum cleaner in my cart which I had not purchased, but as I was going through the first set of doors to walk out of the store an employee ran up to me and I was stopped and asked for a receipt. I responded by handing the cart over to the employee and said, "never mind" and continued to walk through the first set of doors and then through the 2nd set of doors which opened to the sidewalk and proceeded to walk to my car and drove away. This moment was a \"wake-up call\" to never do this again, but I am now worried about the possibility of prosecution because of this. I was not detained and they did not get any of my information, but I did make a purchase with my debit card upon entering the store about an hour earlier. If they somehow find that transaction, would they be able to find me using information from that transaction (or if they got my license plate from parking lot cameras) and file charges against me for the vacuum cleaner!
The cost of the vacuum cleaner was $549 which is a felony in Maryland. I am an adult and have a clean record otherwise. I am scared and very much worried. I do no want the police to come and arrest me at home or at work, I would rather turn myself in if there is a warrant for my arrest. I can't afford a lawyer and wondering if I should go ahead and contact a public defender and explain to them what happened.
p.s. I don't know if it matters, but although the employee was wearing the usual red and khaki colors the shirt was not the standard store uniform shirt, but they had walkie-talkie for sure and perhaps a name tag, but I'm not sure.
The cost of the vacuum cleaner was $549 which is a felony in Maryland. I am an adult and have a clean record otherwise. I am scared and very much worried. I do no want the police to come and arrest me at home or at work, I would rather turn myself in if there is a warrant for my arrest. I can't afford a lawyer and wondering if I should go ahead and contact a public defender and explain to them what happened.
p.s. I don't know if it matters, but although the employee was wearing the usual red and khaki colors the shirt was not the standard store uniform shirt, but they had walkie-talkie for sure and perhaps a name tag, but I'm not sure.
