Son shoplifted many many times, never caught and has seen the light .

[Bigbamboom]

For around 5 months or so my son stole a certain specific item from a major department store and sold things online. He even took a couple back for store refunds as well during that time. Amazingly he has not been found out to date that we am aware of. Its been 5 months since he last set foot in the store and participated in any such activity. He was never approached by anyone in the store during that time, never approached by law enforcement, never contacted by anyone at any time during the events or in the 5 months since the events. It seems they dont know or maybe they do but cant figure it out. I realize that he has no excuses. I'm not asking for anyone to understand or support the behavior. Hes in therapy and doing well but lives in fear now as he wonders if they will ever figure it out and find out it was him. I have a few questions. #1 having never been caught, stopping the behavior, and 5 months gone by with no thefts or store visists is this likely to see light of day at this point if he hasn't heard anything? #2. What charges would he be up against with thefts, returns, and selling the stuff, he estimates over those months he took $3000 of specific things? #3. Worst case what would he be looking at with no priors: big fines, restitution, and probation? #4. Could he avoid jail and Could I get pbj? #5. He hasn't set foot in there in that same period of time and never will again, how would they find out about this if they don't know at this point, a review of tapes beginning 5 months ago and going back 5 months from that point, would they look to see if the items were returned? #6 If they were investigating this wouldnt he have heard something in the last 5 months? If he could go in there now and pay them back every cent he would gladly find a way to do it. I know that would be suicide for him though. Over all will they just discover the loss at inventory time and write it off. He will never set foot in there again. Thanks...

 

[army judge]

My law free suggestion, just have him keep on working his program.

If he stays clean, avoids that thievish behavior, he's likely to not be contacted about any of this.

If he is contacted, he simply refuses to comment or discuss anything under the advice of his attorney.
That is his right, in fact, it's everyone's right.
We are free to choose NOT to discuss anything or answer any questions.

Miranda and the constitution afford us all the right to remain silent and to not be forced to incriminate ourselves!

 

[ElleMD]

If you want us to guess how an unnamed store will act, you are asking too much from a message board. It could be that they chalked up the losses as losses and just passed that increased cost onto the rest of the consumers. Or, they could have spent the past several months working with surveillance and law enforcement to determine the culprit and a warrant will be issued for his arrest. As thousands of dollars in merchandise was involved, it might worth the store's while to at least investigate. Whether they will be able to pin it on him is anyone's guess.

 

[shrinkmaster]

I am a Retail Theft consultant and work with both persons who make bad choices (like your child) and retailers. You were wise not to name store or what was taken. The statute of limitations for misdemeanor theft is 1 year in most states however based on your post this could be a felony. This makes SOL longer. Retailers act based on policy and other factors so no one can say what will happen. Even if I knew name of Retailer and I am aware of their policy that is no guarantee they will or wont act on the policy again depends on circumstances and other factors. All I can say is he should stay out of store and not discuss this with ANYONE!!, except you, a Lawyer or other highly trusted person.

 

[Bigbamboom]

If you want us to guess how an unnamed store will act, you are asking too much from a message board. It could be that they chalked up the losses as losses and just passed that increased cost onto the rest of the consumers. Or, they could have spent the past several months working with surveillance and law enforcement to determine the culprit and a warrant will be issued for his arrest. As thousands of dollars in merchandise was involved, it might worth the store's while to at least investigate. Whether they will be able to pin it on him is anyone's guess.

Its a large national store. i would have thought however if he did this for 6 months and has stopped for 5 thats 11 months total, wouldnt they have come for him by now if they determined it to be him?

 

[Bigbamboom]

Thanks for your advice. He is doing well. I just wanted general thoughts and did not want to offer any specifics. There are many large national stores. I didnt need to name which one. just asking what may take place typically in situations such as this. Thanks so much again..

 

[ElleMD]

Again, no one here can predict what direction the investigation might take or how long they will pursue. The store has 7 more months at a minimum to file charges. He is not yet in the clear legally.

 

[shrinkmaster]

Once more he is better off to stay away from store and discuss this with no one. As Elle states he has at least 7 months before he in clear but probably longer. His selling items and likely provable intent as well as returning items probably took this to felony levels. The statute of limitations for felonies is years!

 

[Bigbamboom]

Once more he is better off to stay away from store and discuss this with no one. As Elle states he has at least 7 months before he in clear but probably longer. His selling items and likely provable intent as well as returning items probably took this to felony levels. The statute of limitations for felonies is years!

Thanks so much shrinkmaster. i appreciate your kind advice as well as the others. He will continue to stay away and we will continue to watch time pass. God bless you all...

 

[shrinkmaster]

Best of luck to you. My attitude towards most shoplifters is your not bad people you just made a bad choice.

 

[Betty3]

It sounds like you son is now doing well & no longer shoplifting. As others suggested, he needs to stay away from that store & hope that nothing comes of what he did but there is no way we can know the answer to that.

 

[Bigbamboom]

Thank you. he is doing super. Its amazing really. He will never set foot in there again and will not discuss anything with anyone. i understand its an impossible thing to predict. i appreciate you all for your answers and have a wonderful holiday...