questions & answers

Question: I WAS SUSPECTED OF SHOPLIFTING-THE POLICE CAME TO ME JOB AND STATED THAT THEY WAS GOING TO ARREST ME..BUT THEY DIDN'T..THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE OWNER WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION..TTICALLED THE OWNER AND SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WOULD LET KNOW MONDAY-IF SHE IS GOING TO PRESS CHARGES IT HAS BEEN 10 DAYS SINCE THE INCIDENT..WHY DID THE POLICE COME TO MY JOB IF THEY WAS NOT GOING TO ARREST ME..WHY HAVEN'T SHE PRESSED CHARGES YET..HEY INFORMED ME THAT OWNWER WAS GOING TO LOOK AT MORE TAPES..I HAVE OFFERED TO PAY FOR GOODS THE OWNER WILL LET ME KNOW MONDAY-I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE ..

Answer: The police were contacting you to get a statement from you, and likely an admission of guilt. The threat to arrest you or the possibility of arresting you may have been used by the officers to intimidate you into speaking with them. It sounds like the shopkeeper wants to be sure you have not stolen any other items and the police officers may add additional charges if the tapes show other thefts. The shopkeeper can make the decision whether or not to press charges, however, once you are charged it will be handled in court by a prosecutor.