A manager at a store told me to leave and said I had been trespassed before, I have not ever been.

Question

He said : do you want to pay for anything and I said no , I want to pay for what's in my shopping cart and he said, you can't do that, I want you to leave , and pay for your " other " item he assumed I had, but I didn't have nothing , so I left. What is the law on shoplifting , don't the person have to leave the store with the item before it is considered theft ? I had a bag

that I carried for 5 years, and I seperate items

because I shop for 2 disabled people . I have

always taken my stuff out of the bag and paid for it before leaving the store , but today he more or less accused me of taking something and I

didn't. could I sue the store, I don't want to,

and I w.on't, but if anyone knows the law on this please let me know, and yeah I know not a bright idea to put things in a bag, but as I said, I"ve

done it for the last 5 years without a problem

Answer 1

No, If an item is concealed, it is evidence that you intended to steal.

You can sue anybody.

But, you can't win in this case.

Answer 2

Concealing merchandise into a bag would be concerning,........ Even if you have done this the past 5 yrs just maybe you were in the WRONG. YOU can't conceal merchandise into a bag and NOT lead other people to believe you AREN"T stealing. Why SUE? It's not worth it! Seriously, you should have never conceal merchandise that has not BEEN paid for because that's what shoflifters do. They conceal merchandise and walk out the store. The Manager didn't stop you for shop lifting he just asked you to pay for the stuff you put in your bag. I think he was being kind! This misunderstanding was your fault. The Manager is only protecting the stores assets. IF you shopped in this manner YOU should have made the STORE aware of your practice. Why don't you think stores hand out shopping bags? You should use the cart like the rest of us. Get over it! NEVER CONCEAL merchandise!  

Answer 3

You are in a catch 22....you dont' have to leave the store to be consided shop lifting....and police aren't very careful before they pass judgement....any cop will assume you are shoplifting judging by your story and you will probably get arrested.....You could on the other hand go back at a different time and try to plead your case, but if this manager is a jerk you will get arrested for harrasment or such.....You have to love our justice system!!!!

Answer 4

It could just be that they think you've been stealing and finally caught on to it, or it could be a new manager that doesn't know that you've done that, or he could even just be slow and not have realized you've been doing it that way for years. In any case you're not allowed to conceal merchandise. Once you put something in your pocket it's considered stealing regardless of whether or not you've walked out of the store with it.

Answer 5

Next time,just do what I do.Take a gun and when they ask a stupid question stick it in their face and say "h**l yeah,right after you empty the register dog".I suggest using a gun with a laser sight as he/she might have a gun also and you need to be sure of shot placement.I suggest a Kel Tec PF9 as this is a very good weapon for a woman and it has many choices of lasers available to mount on the rail.Also,you will need to be wearing a hat and some shades.You should steal a license plate the night before and put that on your vehicle before going to the store.After you get the loot and leave you should change back to your old plate at a car wash and change your shirt and lose the hat and shades too.Be sure to put the hat and shades up under the seat or in the trunk and always refuse any searches.

Answer 6

Surely you know better than to put something in a bag while shopping..

What would you have done as the mgr?

Answer 7

The store owner has the right to refuse your business, shop elsewhere.

Answer 8

Actually the manager cut you a break! He easily could have had you charged with theft and you probably could have been convicted based upon concealing the items which would show intent to commit theft. I'm sure your intent was not to steal these items but laws like this must be in place to protect us all from the unscrupulous thieves in our society.

By the way, you should be applauded for your service to the disabled. It's much appreciated!