Check out some similar questions!

subodhsri1 · Feb 1, 2011, 12:22 PM

Hi,

This was an unfortunate event (2 months back) that I came out of ABC store in PA ($3 value item ater 70% discount) with an unpaid merchandise kept on my baby's stroller. My 1 yr old was getting really cranky and me and my wife were getting frustrated so to comfort him, I thought to walk him in the stroller around. In the given situation, before I realized, I was standing outside ABC store doors and was facing the other stores inside the mall. There was no alarm but the Loss Prevention lady was watching us from the camera at that moment and she came down while I was planning to come back to the store and pay for the merchandise that my wife was finalising. The small jewellery item kept on stroller was still unnoticed to me and LP lady asked me to go upstairs because I had committed a crime. She talked to her manager and was suggested to make a case. I got a letter from their side asking me to pay $160 and when I talked to them they said if I do not pay $160, they will handover the case to police and have me arrested. Is there a way I can get away without paying anything? I've already moved from PA to AR so I don't want to attend any court in PA and if I have to, will I be compensated?

ballengerb1 · Feb 1, 2011, 12:26 PM

So they know you moved and have your AR address, right?

subodhsri1 · Feb 1, 2011, 01:04 PM

They are not aware of my movemet yet.

subodhsri1 · Feb 1, 2011, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

So they know you moved and have your AR address, right?

Not yet, they are not aware of the movement.

ballengerb1 · Feb 1, 2011, 01:28 PM

So their next letter may get returned and then they need to decide if the Police will do an out of state warrant for a $3 item. Not my legal advice but I'd consider just moving on.

subodhsri1 · Feb 1, 2011, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

So their next letter may get returned and then they need to decide if the Police will do an out of state warrant for a $3 item. Not my legal advice but I'd consider just moving on.

Hey, USPS delivered the letter to my new address and I talked to them for forgiveness for an undeliberate mistake, in writing. So they are aware that I'm reachable. They have quoted the retail value of the item to be $10. Could they still lodge a complaint with police and will that necessarily result in arrest?

excon · Feb 1, 2011, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by subodhsri1

they said if I do not pay $160, they will handover the case to police and have me arrested. Is there a way I can get away without paying anything?

Hello s:

Yes. THEY are committing a CRIME against you called extortion.. I'd call the cops on THEM. We HAVE criminal laws on the books.. If you stole, they should report you - NOT get rich off you... Doing THAT is a CRIME!

excon

subodhsri1 · Feb 1, 2011, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by excon

Hello s:

Yes. THEY are committing a CRIME against you called extortion.. I'd call the cops on THEM. We HAVE criminal laws on the books.. If you stole, they should report you - NOT get rich off you... Doing THAT is a CRIME!

excon

Hey, but as I understand, if I do not pay $160, they can go to police and lodge a complaint. Right? What are the options?

JudyKayTee · Feb 1, 2011, 03:02 PM

- And so this same argument rages on (is this extortion? Is this not extortion?) and in the three plus years I've been on there's never been a definitive answer.

excon · Feb 1, 2011, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by subodhsri1

Hey, but as I understand, if I do not pay $160, they can go to police and lodge a complaint. Right? What are the options?

Hello again, s:

I GAVE you your option... CALL the cops... You are the victim of a crime called extortion... What they did, is say to you, "give me money or I'll do something BAD to you". That's extortion - plain and simple.

When they catch you breaking the law in their store, they can call the cops or let you go. That's the ONLY two option they have. They CANNOT use the opportunity to make money.. THAT'S EXTORTION.

excon

PS> (edited) They can sue you too. That's a third option. If they want to make money off you, THAT'S the place to do it - NOT by threatening to turn you in. THAT'S EXTORTION, and I'm sticking with it...

PPS> (edited) Plus, if they sued you, they'd only get $10, and the cost to file the suit. THAT'S what civil law says. If they won, they'd get EVEN. They would NOT make money. Trying to MAKE money off you is a CRIME called extortion...

PPPS> (edited) I DO find it strange that I seem to be the only one in the world who noticed this anomaly.