My friend stole several items from a major electronics store around ~$1000 about three months ago. He was not caught and does not think he was spotted hiding the packages on camera. But cameras would have shown him entering the store, putting packages into cart, and leaving the store. License plate was probably not seen on cameras when car left the parking lot.

He is worried that he could get something in the mail in the future. Is this possible? If the store found out his identity wouldn't they issue a warrant immediately considering the high ticket items? He has no criminal history at all. One friend had stole something from a grocery store and a worker saw him leave, wrote down his license plate #, and he received a letter from the court 5-6 months later. Could the same happen to said friend?

Thanks for any replies.

3 months is a long time and stores usually hold recordings for only a set amount of time. Only if an incident is reported do they review tapes which usually end up with Police.

Stores loose a lot of stock weekly and this is usually written off, so I'd say he got away scott free on that one.

If he's feeling guilty (which he should), send some money to a charity!

High ticket items, more fear of police knocking at door and just hauling him off, than a letter to appear.

And of course since you are aware of the theft, that makes you involved, and they can like trace the IP address of your post, find you, and have you give the info of they can just arrest you for it

Sorry posts are not deleted. But then I am sure the police are not out searching for you.

But you are part of it, you are aware of the crime, the evidence and more and are not reporting it to the police, so you became part of the crime already

You'd understand more if you knew the kid. He's been a close family friend all of his life. His father is in prison and his mom could give a rat's about him. I'm just looking out for his welfare, and prison time would absolutely not be good for him considering his mental health. In any case, thanks for the replies.