Target Shoplifter Caught Red-Handed Stealing a Bag Full of Merchandise

Summary

A woman was detained for suspected retail theft after walking past the last point of purchase in a store without paying. She explained that she was looking for her cousin to pay for the items, while her phone was dead and she was unaware of store policies. Despite her defense, surveillance footage indicated she and her cousin were preparing to leave with the merchandise. The woman was arrested, charged with felony theft, and later released with a court date scheduled, though she maintained her innocence throughout the process.

Takeaways

• 😀 A woman entered a store with a plan but was arrested for retail theft after walking past the last point of purchase.
• 😀 The woman was caught by Loss Prevention after she and her cousin allegedly attempted to leave with merchandise without paying.
• 😀 The woman explained that she was simply looking for her cousin, whose phone was dead, and was attempting to pay for her items.
• 😀 Store employees and Loss Prevention highlighted the importance of not crossing the last point of purchase, which the woman inadvertently did.
• 😀 Despite the woman’s insistence that she didn’t intend to steal, surveillance footage indicated her walking with the merchandise towards the exit.
• 😀 The woman claimed she didn't know it was a violation to walk past the last point of purchase, which led to her arrest for retail theft.
• 😀 Throughout the interaction, the woman repeatedly stated that she did not steal and only wanted to pay for her items.
• 😀 The arresting officers explained the law and why her actions were considered theft, even though she didn’t physically leave the store.
• 😀 The woman expressed frustration with being accused of theft, given the number of security guards in the store who would have seen her actions.
• 😀 After being detained, the woman was charged with felony retail theft, released, and a court date was scheduled for her case.

Q & A

What was the initial reason for the interaction between the woman and store security?

The woman was stopped by security after she allegedly passed the last point of purchase without paying for her items. Security suspected she may have been attempting to steal the merchandise.

How did the woman explain her actions to security?

The woman explained that she was looking for her cousin, who had her money on an Apple Pay account, and that her phone was dead. She stated that she was trying to pay for the merchandise, not steal it.

What was the misunderstanding regarding store policy?

The woman was unaware of the store's policy that once a customer passes the last point of purchase, it is considered theft. She was trying to find her cousin, not intentionally shoplift.

What did security find when reviewing the surveillance footage?

Surveillance footage showed the woman walking with her cousin and then attempting to leave the store with merchandise without paying for it. She looked around to make sure no one was watching before security intervened.

What was the woman's response when she was told she was under arrest?

The woman was confused and upset. She repeatedly stated that she hadn't stolen anything, hadn't left the store, and was only looking for her cousin. She expressed frustration at not understanding why she was being arrested.

What did the woman repeatedly emphasize during her interaction with the officers?

She emphasized that she was trying to pay for the items, had no intent to steal, and was simply looking for her cousin. She also mentioned her family’s values about paying for goods and expressed disbelief at being accused of theft.

What did the officer explain about the legal implications of the woman's actions?

The officer explained that once the woman passed the last point of purchase (the escalator), she technically committed theft, regardless of her intentions.

What did the woman claim about her knowledge of the store's policies?

The woman stated that she was unaware of the store’s policy regarding passing the point of purchase and was not aware that she was committing theft by walking downstairs.

How did the woman describe the security guards' behavior towards her?

She described the security guards as being present all around her but felt they were targeting her unfairly. She mentioned that she could see the security guards as she passed them and felt they were watching her closely.

What was the final outcome of the incident?

The woman was arrested and charged with felony retail theft. She was later released with a scheduled court date. She maintained her innocence and planned to get a lawyer.