My son ate a donut while in 7-11, he was in line to pay, but the attendant did not take his money, the cops were called and he was arrested for shoplifing he was also drinking under age and received a ticket for underage drinking at the event. He had not left the store when he was arrested

And your question is?

Can he be arrested when he had not left the store? He was in line to pay and the cashier would not take the money... sounds like a setup albeit, a dumb thing to do on his part. Does anyone know the particulars on eating food in a store (much like eating grapes, or opening the bag before checkout)?

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Originally Posted by briant99

can he be arrested when he had not left the store? he was in line to pay and the cashier would not take the money.... sounds like a setup albeit, a dumb thing to do on his part. does anyone know the particulars on eating food in a store (much like eating grapes, or opening the bag before checkout)?

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What guarantee did the store have that he would have paid for the doughnut once he had eaten it and brushed the crumbs off his lips? It's not like when there are grapes left in the bunch or cookies left in an opened box.

Why would he do that in the first place?

Was this right after the ticket for underage drinking? Maybe he was acting a certain way, too, while in line?

I think 7/11 is too busy taking care of paying customers to set up your son on a shoplifting charge.

I've seen signs in stores asking people NOT to eat out of the food bins, the vegetable/fruit tables, warning that it "could" be considered to be shoplifting.

I don't understand the part about he was in line to pay but the cashier wouldn't take his money. He offered to pay and the cashier refused to allow it?

My feeling? He was drinking underage and it showed and he was acting stupid.

As a parent aren't you concerned that he's drinking underage? Your focus appears to be eating a doughnut and not paying for it.

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Originally Posted by briant99

can he be arrested when he had not left the store? he was in line to pay and the cashier would not take the money....

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Hello briant:

I've done that before, and it wasn't stealing... Sounds like the clerk was a jerk... With a good lawyer, I'll bet the charges will be dropped. Without one - well the prosecutor will have his way with your son.

excon

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Originally Posted by excon

Hello briant:

I've done that before, and wasn't stealing... Sounds like the clerk was a jerk... With a good lawyer, I'll bet the charges will be dropped. Without one - well the prosecutor will have his way with your son.

excon

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The dougnut, maybe. Drinking underage? I doubt it.

Evidently the arresting officer happened to be in the store at the time.

Perhaps looking to score a complementary doughnut.

It was the last doughnut, your son beat him to it, the cop was pissed, and the arrest follows.

That's my guess as to how it went down.

First there is no way they 'called the cops" and they got there before he left the store.

And I have to ask where you there with him, my opinion he most likely walked out, caused trouble in the store and is telling you how they did him wrong.

So as a parent, you should be upset that he would be drinking under age ( that is the seriuos charge) and that he would not pay for a donut.

And no the store would not refuse to take the money.

Try to think logical, not just believing what your son says.

If you read my #5 I couldn't understand the parent's focus on the doughnut and not the underage drinking. Of course, OP never came back to answer the questions -