Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Ever tussled with a shoplifter on drugs? I had a guy on meth yesterday. Guy was like Superman. Worst stop I've ever had. Don't wanna have to do that again... Anyway, the guy literally rips three camcorders off the bar in our Photo Lab. Idiot also takes five demo (dummy) phones off the side counter. The camcorders were valued at about $1,000 so I know I can charge him with that. However, the police told me that since he attempted to take the demo phones believing that they were indeed working phones that he can be charged accordingly because that's how the judge would look at it. The phones tack on another $1,500 at full retail value with no contracts. Now, here's the question. Wouldn't that cause a problem when it goes to court due to conflicting amounts between my store and law enforcement? Or is the officer correct? Thanks in advance

What kind of conflict? You charge him for everything he destroyed.

Demo phones have no value and cost the store nothing.

Demo phones have no value and cost the store nothing.

His intent was to steal real phones doesn't matter if he was to dumb to know otherwise.

How is LP "charging" him with anything?

I had a couple wild ones, one of them I remember told me he came in to fill out a job application (what a dumba$$)

Since the phones are dummy models and have no value that should be classified under vandalism / distraction of private property and should be a seperate charge.

The company is only interested on actual amount stolen, so if the PD wants to pick up the vandalism charge that's fine since the phones have no inventory "shrink" value.

I cannot attach a value to something that has little or none. I can prove intent to steal but since the charge is based on value... I too would have to go with vandalism on the damaged property.

In my state , a 2nd offense is at least a Misd while a 3rd offense is ALWAYS a felony.

I too am curious as to how a security guard charges people.

As for the subject, I'd go with robbery and damage. It's certainly not just theft.

If the offender used force in his attempt at escape, that would up the charge to unarmed robbery instead of simply shoplifting. :D

At least in Michigan it would.

If the offender used force in his attempt at escape, that would up the charge to unarmed robbery instead of simply shoplifting. :D

At least in Michigan it would.

Same here.

I dont think the added value for the phones would fly here.

Ever tussled with a shoplifter on drugs? I had a guy on meth yesterday. Guy was like Superman. Worst stop I've ever had. Don't wanna have to do that again... Anyway, the guy literally rips three camcorders off the bar in our Photo Lab. Idiot also takes five demo (dummy) phones off the side counter. The camcorders were valued at about $1,000 so I know I can charge him with that. However, the police told me that since he attempted to take the demo phones believing that they were indeed working phones that he can be charged accordingly because that's how the judge would look at it. The phones tack on another $1,500 at full retail value with no contracts. Now, here's the question. Wouldn't that cause a problem when it goes to court due to conflicting amounts between my store and law enforcement? Or is the officer correct? Thanks in advance

If the officer says "lets charge him with X" then why would you not want to do that. The officer is doing the report and stating the charges. It is up to the court system to reduce charges/take charges off. I don't see a problem with stacking the additional phone cost, they may be a demo, but dumb dumb shoplifter didn't know that!!!!

Yes, LP does not "charge" shoplifter. When I say "I" charge, I'm stating what I put into APIS and what event value I report to the police.

The cameras would be a larceny, the phones an attempted larceny (or a petit larceny for basic stealing of property)

Don't know what state, or the limit between petit & grand larceny. In NY it would be 1,000.

I'm in Georgia. So I'll have to check.