Many people consider shoplifting a petty crime and many times it is. However, it can be a felony depending on the value of what is taken. Regardless of how the crime is classified, police can come to your house to question or arrest you for shoplifting.
Shoplifting Classifications
The value of the stolen items is what classifies shoplifting as either a misdemeanor or felony. Shoplifting falls under state laws so how and when it’s classified as a felony, as well as penalties, can vary.
Generally, shoplifting is considered petty theft or larceny when the value of the stolen merchandise is less than $500. Goods that are valued at more than $500 can push the crime into the felony category with the person charged with either grand theft or grand larceny.
Aggravating circumstances can also be a reason for law enforcement to charge a shoplifter with a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
Aggravating circumstances could include someone getting injured in the crime, the use of a weapon, or threats used during the incident.
Another factor in how shoplifting is classified is whether the suspected criminal is a repeat offender or has some other criminal record. Those out on probation or just out of prison could face harsher penalties.
You Will Be Reported
Shoplifters may exit the store, flee, or drive away thinking they got away with the crime. They hear store clerks are told not to call the police and think the incident is over. It isn’t.
Although store personnel is told not to call the police unless there is a physical danger, are told not to follow a shoplifter, and not even to take note or video of the car model and tag, that doesn’t mean the incident doesn’t get reported. Store clerks are mandated to report thefts to asset protection.
That department looks at security camera video, makes a report, and notifies other agencies like mall security or local police once they have enough evidence to build a case.
Police officers and detectives then follow up with witness statements, talking to those around the store’s neighborhood, pulling street surveillance, and comparing the information to similar crimes.
Pulling all the evidence together, including a look at similar crimes, can lead police to a primary suspect. That can bring them to your house.
Police Can Come to Your House
Just because you were able to leave the store with stolen items doesn’t mean you got away with it. The courts have two years to prosecute shoplifters.
Police officers can show up at your door anytime during that time to ask questions as a part of their investigation or to arrest you if they feel they have enough evidence.
Shoplifters who don’t live near the store where the crime occurred don’t lower the risk of getting caught. Police handling the investigation will contact local police where you live to follow up with you in questioning or making an arrest.
Small towns pose an additional risk because many police officers know those who live in their areas. They know their vehicle, their voices, and how they move.
It could be that an off-duty cop sees a shoplifter fleeing a store and recognizes that person or the vehicle. They will notify the precinct and officers could be at your door with a warrant before you get home.
Shoplifters sharing their stories online indicate they were either arrested later or fearful of arrest because they discovered they may have been spotted on a security camera or the tags on the items may have been found by police and tracked.
A California shoplifter said they had been shoplifting for a year using a mask and hat. They were never caught on store security cameras, didn’t have a past criminal record, and didn’t have a car. They thought they had succeeded in getting away with the crime.
Then, police came to their house to arrest them. Police charged the suspect with multiple shoplifting counts and grand theft.
The likely scenario was that the asset protection team used clerk statements, store videos, and any other evidence to build a profile of the suspect. They, along with other stores, kept gathering evidence over several shoplifting crimes until the stolen merchandise hit the amount to make it a felony.
By that time, they had enough evidence to give police to help identify a suspect.
Police officers probably added any evidence accumulated from other reported shoplifting crimes, street video, and talking to known criminals in the area to find the suspect.
Some police agencies monitor places where thieves or their fences sell stolen items. This includes Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and other selling platforms like eBay.
They can find a series of stolen items and then get warrants to find out who posted the items and track them through IP addresses.
The more times you shoplift, the more likely that stores and the police are picking up evidence that will lead to your arrest.
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What to Do If Police Come to Your Door
Police may be at your door to either question you or to arrest you. Whatever you do, don’t flee. They likely already have you as a suspect, so their questions are to get you to incriminate yourself before you know you are a suspect.
The first thing to do is ask why they are there and ask them to identify the incident. The second question to ask is if you are a suspect or under arrest. That will affect whether you should answer questions or call a lawyer.
They may say they are just seeking information. You should ask how they came to identify you for questioning but be cooperative and polite at all times. Officers may say you are a person of interest or ask if you should be a suspect. Tell them you will be happy to speak to them with a lawyer present.
Don’t say anything either to deny or confess to the charges. Anything you say can be used against you. Wait for an attorney, either your own or a state-appointed one to meet with you.
Officers coming to your door on a shoplifting charge will likely end with an arrest. Be prepared for that. Don’t resist and ask for an attorney when you are booked.
Something else to consider is that stores can file charges against you without the police contacting you. Charges can be filed with the district attorney’s office if there is enough evidence.
It could take time, even a few months, for a store to file charges against you. Their asset protection team wants to be sure to have enough evidence to get a conviction.
You may get a certified letter that charges have been filed and that you need to turn yourself in or police may come to arrest you.
Shoplifting is a Crime
Any type of shoplifting, even stealing a small item like something valued at $1, is a crime.
You may not get arrested right away but law enforcement has two years to charge you and they may be waiting for the value of stolen items to rise, for you to commit multiple crimes, or for you to make a mistake to charge you with a felony or multiple crimes.
The rule here is that store policies for clerks to not interfere with the crime and to not call the police directly don’t lower your risk for arrest.