Comments on: Nightmare @ The Big Box: Don’t Pay for Fake Shoplifting Charges

By: Carol Cross

Carol Cross — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:42:57 +0000

Yes! There is violence in shoplifting but most of the violence is against the suspected shoplifters. Many shoplifters have been killed outside of retail stores by LP and, of course, it is the LP personnel who then do time because they used excessive force and this wasn’t the policy of their employer OR the City who licensed them.

Unfortunately, when they changed the law to treat “apprehended shoplifting” as a completed larceny through the granting of certain powers of arrest to private security personnel, the stage was set for many suspected shoplifters to die outside on the sidewalks and the parking areas of the retail and discount stores. The Corporate Retail Stores are no longer responsible and don’t have to join the City complaints against shoplifters who are cited for “stealing” and threatened with prosecution for misdemeanor or felony larceny/vandalism under State Laws and civil recovery under Tort Laws.

The licensed LP have to let the suspects who have been under continuous surveillance since the first covert act to exit the store or pass checkout in order to provide probable cause to ticket/arrest the suspects for “stealing.”

An arrest for “stealing” and a demand for CIVIL damages sure looks like legalized extortion — doesn’t it?

By: LocalLawman

LocalLawman — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:01:20 +0000

Feb. 20, 2008, 4:29PM
Home Depot worker run over when trying to stop theft
By ERIC HANSON
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
RICHMOND Ôø? Fort Bend County investigators are searching for the driver of a white van who ran over and injured a Home Depot employee during a theft attempt.
Donald Thomas, 56, is in critical condition Wednesday at Memorial Hermann Hospital, said Fort Bend County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Terriann Carlson.
Carlson said the incident happened about 9:30 p.m. Monday at the Home Depot in the 6800 block of South Fry Road near Katy.
Investigators said store employees saw a white van pull up and stop near the shipping and receiving area. Employees thought the driver was a customer and went to help. However, Thomas noticed the driver and others who were in the van were trying to steal pallets.
Thomas was run over when he tried to stop the men.
Carlson said police have no descriptions of the men. The van was possibly a mid-90′s model and was last seen heading west from the store.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office at 281-341-4665 or Fort Bend Crime Stoppers at 281-341-8477.
Crime Stoppers will pay a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and charge in the case.
eric.hanson@chron.com

By: Anonymous1

Anonymous1 — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:21:32 +0000

Debbie, I tried Lowe’s, but I always ended up going back to HD. I recently bought some new trash bins there and my garbage men seem pleased. Also HD is Jewish. But if you want to we can go to both to see our choices and then decide.

By: samurai

samurai — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:02:58 +0000

I think store security may have overstepped their authority as well. You’re the lawyer DS advise us. Personally I’d probably walk right by the guard and get in my car. With my job though, I’d be forced to cooperate but wouldn’t allow them to do anything without a cop present. I don’t walk into a store w/a bottle of water unless it’s a costco brand and the place isn’t costco. I don’t need problems.

By: RISE_UP

RISE_UP — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:51:22 +0000

I could be mistaken, but it is to my belief that no store personnel can handcuff anyone. Nor can they force someone to remain in their store.The only option they have is to call police. If they with force, prevent someone from leaving, it is the same as kidnapping. I have heard this before but I cannot remember the exact civil suit that was brought because of it.