Okay so I have a friend who stole makeup from (dept. store) about a week ago, no more than $25, yesterday she went in there to shop and the manager pulled her outside and said they seen her on cameras last week and she's banned from the store, then said to check with the cop if there's a warrant out for her arrest. Since they didnt catch her at the time is it still a problem? What should she do? Should she turn herself in and tell the cops? Should she get a lawyer? Will she go to jail or pay a fine? Help please!
It is not a problem until police contact her. If they don't know her identity from a video then they can't pursue her.
She should stay out of that store and stop stealing.
If she is ever contacted by police she should have no idea in the world what they are talking about and not offer any information or explanation. If she is ever arrested or finds herself in court she should obtain an attorney and speak to nobody else about any of this.
No. Chances are that nobody is looking for her or trying to identify her. If she gets caught again they might bring out the previous report, but you don't even know for sure that a police report was made.
She didn't steal anything anyway right? It is coincidence that the person in the store video looks similar to her. She was miles away, busy brushing her grandmother's hair when the theft occurred.
Its unlikely (not out of the question) they will come to her home or work. they might send a letter again probably not. If she has ANY Police contact routine stop random check etc etc and warrant is found she will be arrested on the spot more than likely. Now if the store has her contact info they could and likely will give that info to their law firm and she can expect a letter of Civil Demand
Punishments vary by state and charge. Civil demand is a noncriminal action or fine. In some states a retailer cannot seek both civil demand and file criminal complaint so if she gets such a letter its best to pay it for that and many other reasons as failure to do so can bring forth numerous negative consequences
She should do nothing at all.
Stop worrying about it.
Stop stealing.
Even an arrest is unlikely. Such a petty matter would more likely be handled with a citation.
Move on. Forget about it.
