After reading some other posts, I see there may also be legal action (court). When I asked the security guy what happens, he just said you will have to pay a fine based on the amount of the ear rings. I thought this was in lieu of any legal action.
My 15 year old daughter took a couple pairs of ear rings from a store. I was in the store too, so as we left the store, security stopped us and took us into their office. She had the ear rings in her mouth and gave them back. They had her fill out some forms, told her she was not allowed back...