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Caught shoplifting. License plate info taken. What's next?
Anonymous2 views5 answers
I (legal adult) was caught shoplifting about $10 worth of food from the Whole Foods cafeteria. A photo of my license plate number was taken as I returned to my vehicle, although my driver's license and other personal info were not requested of me. The employee left quickly thereafter without taking time to speak to me, and the police were not called to detain me at the scene. I was not taken to any back room and was not told to sign documents. I'm anxiously curious to know what I can likely expect in the near future (civil demand, criminal charges?). This is my first offense. Further concerning, the vehicle is currently registered under my parent's name.
Since no police were called it is unlikely that any criminal charges will be filed against you. Expect a demand letter. You can ignore it. If charges should be filed you need an attorney .
If no police were called so far nothing has happened. If they contact the police and give your license plate #, you can be arrested however I don't think that $10 worth of food will justify the cops to go to your house and arrest you. If you receive something in the mall requesting $, just throw it away.
For $10 in theft, I doubt the police department is going to go thru the trouble. With just your licence plate, the store probably can't get any info anyways, meaning you probably will never recieve anything in the mail. If you do, it will most likely be from the DA informing you that charges have been filed or rejected. Don't worry about cops showing up to your house and arresting you - for misdemeanors/infractions not occurring in their presence, statutorily they can't (unless they have a warrant, which, as I stated before, is a lot more work than a $10 theft is worth). Bottom line - check your mail, but don't worry too much (and don't do it again!)
The license plate photo is evidence that could be used against you, but it is unlikely in this case. It is possible that the employee is trained not to confront shoplifters, which is why s/he didn't speak to you. Police don't necessarily need to come to the scene so long as a "citizen's arrest" is properly done (the back room and signing of documents party). Here, you have neither police presence nor a citizen's arrest, so it is most likely that the photo was taken to be used against you if you shoplift from there again - and that seems the only plausible use of the evidence based on the facts provided. It could be that this is the policy at Whole Foods to deal with those who "dine and dash." Finally, by your posting your question here, it seems that this may have caused you enough anxiety to avoid doing this again. So stay out of trouble and don't bring it down on your parents. CADefense.net.
The photograph of your license plate can be used in legal proceedings against you as evidence of being present at the time of the crime.
Though I am not licensed and do not practice in the State of California, a $10 dollar item is usually a misdemeanor in Connecticut. In many cases they are never charged, and if they are plead down if a charge ever occurs.
I would not see an attorney yet unless they charge you. More than likely you will be asked to pay back the $10 for the stolen items because they were unable to sell them.
