Michigan Shoplifting help?

Question

Ok I stole from my local grocery store like 2 wks ago. I've been in it since because it's the only one around. I stole some lunch meat from the deli (which I don't know if the deli has like a reciept for all the meat or whatever they sold that day) worth less than $3. Do you think I'll get caught still or would I have been caught by now? I'm 20 and I live in Michigan. Plz. only answer if you really know what your talking about. And I know stealing is wrong.

Answer 1

Well, it depends: Do you get all nervous and shifty-eyed and self-conscious when you go into the grocery store now? Or do you act like it's just another visit to the store, whatever.

And do the employees ever watch you suspisiously? Like they know you took something? Or do they treat you like any customer?

And lastly, do you frequently shoplift from that store, or was it a one-time rebellious streak thing?

After two weeks, I'm guessing you're in the clear. Of course, now that you've gone and thrown this on the internet...

Answer 2

I would think that if you were not caught at the time of the theft that you are safe to forget about it.

At least you've found out a good thing - you're not cut out for stealing.

Answer 3

Don't do it again, but no, if they didn't catch you before you walked out of the store, then you got away with it.  Congratulations.  

They have to catch you before you leave the parking lot.  Be forewarned, though.  I work at Wal-mart and we have a LONG list of people that every time they come into the store we watch to try and catch them stealing food and other merchandise.  don't be too surprised if you start noticing that a lot of the employees are being overly friendly toward you and you allways see one near you.  They will eventually catch you and its jsut not worth it.

I personally spent six hours with a friend sitting in jail b/c I walked out of the store with an item that was a dollar to pay for.  It was in my hand, I never tried to hide it and I didn't intend to steal it, but that didn't stop the cops from putting both me and my friend in jail.  I had to over draw my account to bail us out, plus I had to pay over a hundred dollars for a one dollar item!  And the kicker was that I had a five in my pocket to pay for it when I got arrested, I just forgot that I was holding it.  They got me as I was walking back into the store to pay for it.

Answer 4

No, you could not be arrested. There's actually rules and laws stores have to go by when dealing with a thief. I'll list them.

1. They have to see you steal the item. Either on camera or by an employee. Why? They need proof it was their property. You could just say <enter item you stole here> was purchased at a different store if you were caught. That's why they need proof it is their item you've stolen.

2. They must stop you with the item once you've walked past the doors. They cannot stop you in the store. It's not theft until you leave the store without paying for it. Once you've gotten to your car, they can no longer do anything, since they don't have the right to search your car for stolen goods. So even if they get you on camera on Monday stealing a box of cereal, they cannot press charges. They have to physically catch you with the stolen merchandise on your person.

And also, if you are ever caught, you can steal leave. Unless they have a security officer or onduty cop. But if it's just an employee making you stay there while they call the cop, you have all the legal right to leave. It's considered kidnapping for them to make you stay there against your will. Unless of course they have a security officer. They can make you stay till the cops arrive.