So, I am a complete idiot. I started working in a jewellery store 2 years ago and loved it. The manager was useless though. There were so many mistakes and things going wrong and I was never trained. After a bit of time the Manager was moved to a different location as a Sales Associate. I stepped up and was an acting manager, although this was not my title, I delt with all the issues, did schedualing and payroll etc. I was told by the previous manager that when things go missing to transfer the "product" into a certain area so that inventory can deal with it. Over the reign at the store when ever something went missing I would just transfer it and thought inventory would deal with it. My employee number was on everything I transferred. I had just received my university tutition bill and was overwhelmed and needed cash to pay for it. I took a ring and transferred it out and then returned it as if a customer was returning it and put it onto my debit card. I used the money to pay for my tuition and that was the end of it. I had quit the job in August and it is now Jan of the following year. I got a call from the police saying I was going to be arrested. I wasn't told the charges or anything. They told me to come in to the station (we made an appointment) and it would take about 2 hours. Can some one please tell me what's going to happen? I have no idea what to be prepared for. I know some of the cops that work there and don't want them to find out about my stupid mistake. I'm really not the type of person to do something like that but Alas, I did and need to face the consequences. I don't want to be accused of stealing anythingother then what I did. The one item that I stole was under 2000. What does this mean for me? I have a different job now and hope it doesn't ruine that. What about my future teaching career? Should I get a lawyer? Am I going to have to go to court? I really don't want to tell my parents and am going to avoid it at all measures. Please someone just fill me in on what to do/expect.

Since the value paid for your college tutiion I will assume the value is very high, and you put it on your own debit card? Not a cash refund,?

anyway, no difference really than someone running into the store reaching into the cash register and running out.

You stole and it sounds like it could be seroius with that value.
So yes you need an attorney and you need not to make any statement to anyone, not the store, not the police anyone without an attorney

The police will and do lie to you, to get you to confess, so don't believe any deal a police officer makes

Whether you put the credit onto your debit card or just walked out with the cash it's the same thing. Stealing. Since you put the refund onto your debit card they have you cold. In this case I'd consult with an attorney prior to going to any appointment with the police. Chances are they're going to arrest you for this theft (the guy did say you were going to be arrested). And your teaching career will be toast if you are convicted of a felony as well.

This was not a stupid mistake on your part, honey. It was a cold, calculated act on your part and they have all the evidence they need with or without a confession to charge and convict you on. Grand Theft Felony. You may have to do a few months in jail and then probation for a few years if you're lucky.

"Theft as a servant" is quite a serious charge where I come from. You may be all right though. Are you white?

I'm a 20yr old white female.

Theft is theft, no matter how you dress it up.
You will be delt with like anyone else who steals, plus it will remain on record for several years,affecting various employment that you might apply for in future years, especially those which require a CRB check