I was accused of theft from a store in the mall. I was inside the store with the merchandise the whole time, the manager also said I was lucky he didn't press charges. He then had me buy the merchandise and I was escorted out of the mall buy a security guard. I am never allowed in that store again. During the accusation I was appaled so I pretty much did everything he said. I would say he talked me into buying the cds. A direct quote was " i'll take these up front so you can buy them" after that I was escorted from the premisis. I was wondering if this was legal. I thought to be accused of theft you had to leave the store with the merchandise. It was still in my hands- plain sight. I never left the store with it

Hello john:

Big deal. Now you OWN a couple CD's. However, the next time you're NOT going to steal anything, don't cooperate with the store. Yell your head off, and call the cops YOURSELF.

excon

Thanks. Well I wasn't planning on stealing anything. It happened really fast and I wasn't prepared. The manager started accusing me and I didn't now if he could actually press charges. I wanted to go tell the mall security my side of the story so I could be able to go back in the store

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnlebeau

Thanks. Well i wasn't planning on stealing anything. It happened really fast and i wasnt prepared. The manager started accusing me and i didnt now if he could actually press charges. I wanted to go tell the mall security my side of the story so i could be able to go back in the store

---

Mall Security works for the mall. They probably don't much care about your side of the story. If you want to tell your story you have to report the situation to the Police and tell them your story.

If the manager thought you stole the merchandise it is legal. You could be in the store or out of the store, or in the parking lot (close vicinity). If you have gotten very far this is the only time the arrest can be considered illegal.

In some states you don't have to leave the store, in some states you merely have to be walking past the register toward the door. In other states you merely have to hide it while in the store.

Mall security works for the mall, the stores pay them, so they will do what the store says, they care less what you think.

But sorry "I was standing in the store with it in my hands "?? Don't believe it, what is the real story, what were you actually doing ? Where you in there with someone else who was trying to steal, were you moving around the shelves acting funny.

Store people don't come up to you with things in your hands and say you were stealing things,