What is the policy at Borders bookstore after the alarm is tripped?

Question

A friend and myself went to the bookstore today simply to browse and have a cup of coffee. When leaving the sensor started blaring and we didn't make a purchase or steal anything so we just kept walking. A sales associate or manager...whatever...came out of the store and we believe she proceeded to take our license plate number as we left. We aren't worried about police repercussions, but rather the tainting of our reputations among family and friends if the cops were to show up at one of our houses. What are the possible outcomes of this scenario as far as thats concerned? Are the police allowed to come to your house if they have no proof that you commited a crime? Was the associate even allowed to take that information based on the alarm? (which by the way went off a few times while we were in the store at random or as people were walking in).

Answer 1

sounds like a lawsuit you should get somthing for nothing ,slip and fall

Answer 2

1. If you are worried about your reputation, why didn't you spend 30 seconds and prove your innocence?

2. The police may show up at your house and question you. But before they do that, they will probably review the security tapes and see if a crime occurred or not.

3. It's perfectly legal for someone to write down your license plate. Any private citizen can write down any plate if they chose to. Since it's just out there for the world to see, there really isn't too much you can do about it.

Answer 3

Make sure you don't swallow another item strip in your coffee.

Answer 4

If the store does attempt to accuse you of shoplifting, demand that they show you video proof of you doing so.  If the alarm is going off at random times, then it's up to them to prove that you actually committed a crime.  The same holds true if you end up having to go to court.  Demand video proof.

If you do get contacted for court or similar, seek a lawyers advice.

Answer 5

I would not worry about it. If the cops come, just don't let them in unless they have a warrant.

Answer 6

That always happens to me when I go to Borders! But I don't think you will get in any trouble. But even if they don't have proof they can still come to your house and ask about it.

Answer 7

Usually Borders bookstore deploy androids to KILL the shoplifters.  

There are many reasons things that could have set off the alarm; such as SMART and CAC cards are known to set them off, garage door openers, some types of key-less entry systems among other stuff.  It could have been something as simple as a tag that fell off a book and stuck to your shoe, or a purchase from another store, that wasn't properly demagnetized.

You should have stopped and looked for what set off the alarm.

Borders has been known to place "hits" out on shoplifters.

If you are questioned by the police, ask that Borders produce video of you actually shoplifting.   They ALWAYS have video.

Answer 8

Yes, the police are allowed to come talk to you under those circumstances.

Yes, your license plate number is public information; anyone can write it down for any reason.

If you are worried about this, why did you not take two minutes, talk to the employees, and get it straightened out before you left?