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I'm 21 years old. Every few weeks, I'll steal stuff from stores such as Barnes and Noble or Target. I've almost gotten caught twice, and I'm worried I will get caught eventually and face charges.
I don't think I have a serious problem, I don't do it for a high, I don't do it everytime I"m in a store, but when I want something and don't have the money for it, I'll usually slip it into my purse, and it's so easy that it feels like free stuff.
I almost got caught at Walmart, I set the alarm off walking out, but I had bought something, and the lady never checked my purse, she just let me go.
And at Barnes and Noble the alarm went off once but I just kept walking out and nobody seemed to notice. Do you think they will look back at cameras and see me stealing and then catch me if I go back to the store? I've avoided going to the Walmart because the woman who stopped me wrote down my transaction number and the time because I set off the alarm, so I figure if they looked back at cameras they would see me stealing and arrest me if I went back there.
Do stores like Target randomly watch their cameras often?
How do I stop doing this? Should I avoid going to stores alone? I really don't want to do this anymore, it's just so easy and free.
I really need to stop, the idea of getting caught and having this on my record terrifies me.
Any tips, other than "just stop it". Maybe from others who have dealt with this in their own lives?
Thanks.
I looked over the other questions that you have asked. I think you are crying out for attention and help in a not very productive way at the moment.
You need to understand that addiction is not something that you have to do every time you go the store. Some drunks go months between drinks. One of the things that makes them an alcoholic is that when their trigger is set off they have to have that drink. For you it is shoplifting when you 'don't have the cash'.
Your defensiveness and proclamation that you don't have a problem are at odds with your wanting help. NO ONE can help you until you are open to wanting that help. Until you hit rock bottom, which in your case might be an arrest, you will probably only give lip service to wanting to stop.
You can take measures to slow yourself down. Don't go shopping alone or with anyone who also steals. Don't carry a purse especially not a large one. Be honest with yourself about why and when youshoplift or get the urge. Educate yourself on the consequences of shoplifting to you, the store, and other customers.
I sincerely hope you get yourself under control and find the help you need before you end up in jail.
Emyth, if you don't have anything to add to this thread then please refrain from posting. This is not a chat site, this is a question and answer site.
If you need help with your ferret then post your question in the pet forum, don't hijack someone's thread. If you're just joking then your post is not appropriate for this site.
Time to read the rules kids.
My contribution to this thread was in mere attempt to lighten-up the responses. This isn't a high-jacking, I was just merely amused that a Pet Expert was crucifying some one who seems harmless.
I'm a pretty laid back guy, and very understanding to the plight of others. Perhaps OP has a problem but shouldn't be slammed for it. I've actually read some threads about Drug addicts stealing to support their habit who've gotten more support than OP. Give the girl some credit, she's trying; and perhaps with positive feed back and advice this labeled problem will resolve.
As far as babies not being fed because of 'people like her' that's just way off base. Employees as well as customers who steal retail such as books contribute for an estimated 1% of yearly 'annual loss' this wouldn't be enough to cause retail prices to inflate... I understand it's easy to blame people, especially when it's for something we don't understand, but witch hunts are a dying tradition... try to move forward. Food and hygienics are a different market than books and recreational retail.
Also not meaning to bash but, a high reputation doesn't give anyone the right to brand some one or start trolling I believe that's in the rules too. and I'm actually surprised to see this thread continuing in that direction.
Ashriel, I have only read this question thread and I do not comment on others' faith. I need to comment on your integrity.
You're a thief. That means you're also a liar because you lie to the store people. It looks to me like you're also lying to yourself about the harm your thefts cause to you if not to the general public.
You will be caught. Several times by the statistics I have read. When you get caught enough times you will go to jail and I will pay for your upkeep. Please start being honest with yourself, we don't matter. That's your first step.
My contribution to this thread was in mere attempt to lighten-up the responses. This isn't a high-jacking, I was just merely amused that a Pet Expert was crucifying some one who seems harmless.
I'm a pretty laid back guy, and very understanding to the plight of others. Perhaps OP has a problem but shouldn't be slammed for it. I've actually read some threads about Drug addicts stealing to support their habit who've gotten more support than OP. Give the girl some credit, she's trying; and perhaps with positive feed back and advice this labeled problem will resolve.
As far as babies not being fed because of 'people like her' that's just way off base. Employees as well as customers who steal retail such as books contribute for an estimated 1% of yearly 'annual loss' this wouldn't be enough to cause retail prices toinflate... I understand it's easy to blame people, especially when it's for something we don't understand, but witch hunts are a dying tradition... try to move forward. Food and hygienics are a different market than books and recreational retail.
Also not meaning to bash but, a high reputation doesn't give anyone the right to brand some one or start trolling I believe that's in the rules too. and I'm actually surprised to see this thread continuing in that direction.
I spent a lot of years in retail management and I can tell you that even the above figures do not take into consideration other expenses/costs that are passed on to the public because of theft such as; security personal, security equipment; cameras, alert equipment at exits, security tags, etc, working hours devoted to surveillance, time spent in court, and more.
$42.3 Billion dollars in North America and that figure was for 2008.
well I will guess no one is going to like my answer but you want to steal, so you steal, you don't have any problem beyond being selfish and greedy. People who can't help theirself often don't even know they steal till they get home with it.
You steal because you want something you don't have money for.
So yes the real answer is you just stop it, you can stop anytime you want the only real problem is you prefer not to stop
In your first post you said that you want to stop stealing stuff. Well I will tell you that you will stop. In fact you will stop about three times. The first time you will be caught and placed before a judge and he will give you three months jail time. The second time you will be tried before a jury and they will hate to mess up such a you and nice boy's life so they will give you a year in jail, but you will get out in just a couple of months. The third time is the kicker, you will get caught and be tried by a jury that knows your history and you will be given life in prison for being a habitual thief.
Agreeing/disagreeing: I had never before read the rules about agreeing/disagreeing. I thought it was pretty black and white, like you either agree or disagree with what the person wrote. lol. so now I have read the rules, and I'm happily properly informed. My bad !
Not gonna lie, I feel attacked. It saddens me how everyone's reacted. When a member posts something about how they might have a problem with weed and what to do about it, generally people don't respond with "How could you! You buying weed is enabling the Mexican drug war! You are a murderer!" Other times I post with issues I"m having, I generally haven't been crucified for it, which is nice. But this time, it's like I'm a terrible person, and I generally disagree. I have issues like everyone.
I realize I have a problem that I need to overcome, otherwise I wouldn't have posted this. That should seem obvious enough. Me writing "I don't think I have a problem" was definitely my more wishful thinking side coming out.
I think bringing up my faith is a bit uncalled for. There are many many sins listed in the Bible that each one of us commit every day, and just because it's in the Bible doesn't make it any easier to avoid, or any less available to commit. (gossiping, lying, stealing, jealousy, sexual immorality, etc) We are humans and unfortunately we sin.
I want to thank the people who actually gave me advice, such as "check out this website for help" or "carry a small purse".
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