My fiancé 3 months ago was shopping at a book/music/movie store. While there she was harassed by the employees and accused of hiding on her person. When she showed them she had nothing they seemed to be even angrier. She was carrying a CD and a book, because she was mad at being wrongfully accused she placed the CD in the book section of the store as a "go-back" as a sort of retribution for her mistreatment. She ended up buying a book on her way out though she did not want to but needed it. She was asked about the CD and she explained she had left if in the books section. She paid and left the store, on her way out she noticed the over zealous clerk taking down her license plate number.
A couple of weeks later a police office showed up asking that she call another police officer. She did so and was harassed and accused of stealing. The office told her she should return the CD to the store right away but she did not have it since she did not take it. The office threatened her with the existence of a tape that was to be reviewed in which she replied "good it will show I did nothing wrong". When the office said the clerk saw her take something and put it into her purse she explained she carries an induction programmer for her spinal implant to help with pain caused by the neuropathy she has. The officer also called this a lie. After being berated for an hour she requested the supervisor's number and spoke with him. He indicated that this 'intimidation' is common for the officers to "get results" and admitted that if there was no evidence there was little they could.
Yesterday which was 3 months after the fact, two police officers came over and proceeded to berate and embarrass her again, this time in front of a home care specialist that helps her. They told her to "fess up, turn in the CD, and maybe then can get her some help". She again explained about the neuropathy and she even showed them the programming device. They caller her a liar. She replied with "what about the tape, there is nothing incriminating me her". The female office then said that they didn't need a tape and could arrest her anytime they want. They said that the clerk's word against her would be sufficient. She asked why they did not arrest her then and there and the officer said they could if they wanted to. They never did though, they only left a card.
She has not been arrested and has not received any civil summons. Should we hire a lawyer? Sue? This is causing her emotional distress and she has not even done anything it seems like she is being harassed and they are trying to intimidate her into confessing to something she did not do. She has never been Mirandized by the police, but this is making life stressful in that we get nervous every time the doorbell rings. We just do not know what to expect next. It seems to me like the officers are getting "desperate to get a resolution they want to this" and that is why they keep harassing my fiancé
She has an expunged prior shoplifting conviction from 7 years ago or so.
Sorry I know this is long but I just need to establish what happened.
Thanks,
AA
A couple of weeks later a police office showed up asking that she call another police officer. She did so and was harassed and accused of stealing. The office told her she should return the CD to the store right away but she did not have it since she did not take it. The office threatened her with the existence of a tape that was to be reviewed in which she replied "good it will show I did nothing wrong". When the office said the clerk saw her take something and put it into her purse she explained she carries an induction programmer for her spinal implant to help with pain caused by the neuropathy she has. The officer also called this a lie. After being berated for an hour she requested the supervisor's number and spoke with him. He indicated that this 'intimidation' is common for the officers to "get results" and admitted that if there was no evidence there was little they could.
Yesterday which was 3 months after the fact, two police officers came over and proceeded to berate and embarrass her again, this time in front of a home care specialist that helps her. They told her to "fess up, turn in the CD, and maybe then can get her some help". She again explained about the neuropathy and she even showed them the programming device. They caller her a liar. She replied with "what about the tape, there is nothing incriminating me her". The female office then said that they didn't need a tape and could arrest her anytime they want. They said that the clerk's word against her would be sufficient. She asked why they did not arrest her then and there and the officer said they could if they wanted to. They never did though, they only left a card.
She has not been arrested and has not received any civil summons. Should we hire a lawyer? Sue? This is causing her emotional distress and she has not even done anything it seems like she is being harassed and they are trying to intimidate her into confessing to something she did not do. She has never been Mirandized by the police, but this is making life stressful in that we get nervous every time the doorbell rings. We just do not know what to expect next. It seems to me like the officers are getting "desperate to get a resolution they want to this" and that is why they keep harassing my fiancé
She has an expunged prior shoplifting conviction from 7 years ago or so.
Sorry I know this is long but I just need to establish what happened.
Thanks,
AA
