Shoplifting, Larceny, Robbery, Theft Theft and banning....

S

stayquiet

New Member
Recently, my friend was caught shoplifting in california. He was taken to the back room by the LP and the General Manager. They told him that they will not call the police as this is a first time offence, but they will cancel his membership. They took away the membership card, took a copy of the DL and a photo of him. They have also taken a signature from him on a paper by which he agreed that he will not enter any of their locations in the future and if he does, he will be arrested for trespassing. Later they walked him out and took a picture of his car license plate.

Questions:
1. Though they did not call the police at that instance, can they press charges anytime in the future. If so, is there a specific timeline within which they should do it?
2. Can my friend talk to the General Manager over phone to resolve the issue and try to get his membership back? Will this force them to initiate any police action?
3. Is there any way to get this black mark away from his records, get the membership back and get all trespassing notice revoked?
4. Do they post the picture of him and his details on any database for other retailers to identify him?


Thanks in advance for your reply!

Greatly appreciate it.
 
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stayquiet said:
Recently, my friend was caught shoplifting in california. He was taken to the back room by the LP and the General Manager. They told him that they will not call the police as this is a first time offence, but they will cancel his membership. They took away the membership card, took a copy of the DL and a photo of him. They have also taken a signature from him on a paper by which he agreed that he will not enter any of their locations in the future and if he does, he will be arrested for trespassing. Later they walked him out and took a picture of his car license plate.

Questions:
1. Though they did not call the police at that instance, can they press charges anytime in the future. If so, is there a specific timeline within which they should do it?
2. Can my friend talk to the General Manager over phone to resolve the issue and try to get his membership back? Will this force them to initiate any police action?
3. Is there any way to get this black mark away from his records, get the membership back and get all trespassing notice revoked?
4. Do they post the picture of him and his details on any database for other retailers to identify him?


Thanks in advance for your reply!

Greatly appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Your friend should FORGET ever going into that store for at least the next decade. maybe longer!
He should forget calling anyone at the store.
He might get away with it, but if he gets caught, he's just made more trouble for himself.

That store has TWO other national competitors, plus dozens of other choices nationwide.
Your pal should choose another place to shop, not shoplift, however!

As far as HOW they can spot him, let's just say, he'd be stupid to try them.

No one can say if the store will try to press charges, but most often they let it go, if the thief let's it go.

Count your blessings, look forward, don't look backward; otherwise you might stumble into a tree.
 
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I am a retail theft consultant and answers like yours daily so let me address yours

1. Though they did not call the police at that instance, can they press charges anytime in the future. If so, is there a specific timeline within which they should do it?
Yes anytime within the statute of limitations (around one year)

2. Can my friend talk to the General Manager over phone to resolve the issue and try to get his membership back? Will this force them to initiate any police action?
Yes he can but it may not be his call and should not provoke a criminal complaint filing

3. Is there any way to get this black mark away from his records, get the membership back and get all trespassing notice revoked?
black mark from where the only record is with store or any retail theft database they might subscribe to

4. Do they post the picture of him and his details on any database for other retailers to identify him?
The databases vary on how they maintain info
 
Please explain why, having already been given one break, you and/or your "friend" think he is entitled to have what little consequences he did receive for committing a crime to be reversed.
 
I don't think your friend should call the general manager - he better let things well enough alone.
 
Lots of people (even those who intended to steal) are successful in having bans lifted. Much depends on circumstances of incident and kindness of Store Manager. they want sales. If a young teen shoplifted and was banned then his/her parents could not shop if teen was with them. Its a judgement call but bans are lifted more times than you think merely upon request
 
I still think it is the height of arrogance for someone to commit a crime, and then when they're cut a break and told that the ONLY consequence will be that their membership to the club is revoked and they're no longer allowed to enter the associated stores, they whine and cry about how they need to get even that little consequence revoked. Maybe if we stopped being so soft on shoplifters and treated it like the crime it really is instead of of letting them off with a light slap on the wrist, there'd be less shoplifting, less shrinkage and the prices would stop going up for HONEST people who actually pay for their goods instead of deciding it's their right to take what they want regardless.

OP, it doesn't make you cool or tough or admirable in any way to get away with stealing. It makes you a THIEF. It makes you a CRIMINAL. And for you to assume that you're in any way ENTITLED to have the ban lifted and your membership restored is utterly unwarranted. Instead of whining about how you should be able to reverse the ban, how about acting like an adult and accepting that there are consequences when you STEAL? That when you COMMIT A CRIME, you need to take responsibility for your own actions? Be a man/woman instead of a sniveling child and own what you did.
 
I agree but corporate sees lost $$$ where rest of us see removal of threat. I have often bumped heads with Store Managers or higher in regards to theft prevention and actions. These person seldom see it needed or the need to spend $$$ to protect store. the are motivated by sales! I agree the ban becomes an empty threat if lifted just by requesting so. If we acted in same manner with child molesters they would be allowed to work in schools etc
 

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