If you have been caught shoplifting on camera, you might be wondering what comes next. Can the store identify you?
Often, if you’ve been caught shoplifting on camera, the store in question will get in touch with the police. They may either send you a notification about it or follow up with you in person. You may get banned from the store, fined, or even imprisoned for shoplifting. Camera footage might be used in a court case.
What Happens If You Get Caught Shoplifting On Camera?
Various things can happen if you get caught shoplifting on camera. If you’re still in the store when somebody sees you steal on camera, there is a chance that you will be approached by loss prevention or security guards and asked to show them your bag. You may be escorted into a back room to wait for the police.
You might also just be told to leave the store, depending on the circumstances. If this happens, you will probably be told not to come back, and you may get a ban from all of the stores if you’re shoplifting from a chain. You could also get banned from the overall shopping area if it’s part of a group of shops.
If you have left the store by the time you are seen on camera, the store might take one of several courses of action.
They might simply circulate your picture or a description of you among their security staff, and either say to watch you the next time you come into the store, or deny you entry.
Stores have the right to ban people from their premises, as they are private property. You can end up with a temporary ban or a lifetime ban, depending on the circumstances and the people involved.
You might just get banned from your local store, or from a whole chain.
In other cases, the consequences will be more serious.
Can You Go To Prison If You Get Caught Shoplifting On Camera?
You could end up in prison if you get caught shoplifting on camera, yes. You may end up getting arrested while in the store, or the store may report you to the police, who could follow up with you later.
If this happens, you face various consequences, depending on how much you have stolen, whether it’s your first offense, etc.
There are several levels of theft, and they are categorized differently in different states. Most states have a category for minor thefts, often for a low dollar amount.
These can be classified as misdemeanors or infractions and may result in a fine and/or time in prison (usually less than 12 months).
This category usually covers thefts below $500 and the fine is often $1,000 or less.
Stealing more than $500 is usually classed as a felony, and this can result in longer prison sentences and bigger fines.
It’s important to do specific research into your state to understand the laws that would apply to you in the case of theft and to speak to a lawyer if you have concerns about your situation.
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Can You Be Identified From Camera Footage?
There’s no single answer to this; it depends on a lot of factors. Things like the store’s technology, your position in relation to the camera, the lighting in the room, and more can affect how easy you are to identify from camera footage.
However, in many cases, stores can identify people from camera footage. In the past, the footage was often fuzzy and indistinct, but now, a lot of security cameras are good enough to get a clear picture of a person’s face, especially if they stand close to the camera and the lighting is good. Even at a distance, it may be possible to identify somebody.
A store may also compare camera footage across several days or even weeks/months (depending on their storage capacity), and this means that they might be able to identify you even if some footage is blurry or low quality.
They might talk to staff members, too. If your face is indistinct in the camera footage but your clothes can be described, it’s possible a staff member will be able to identify you, especially if you shop there frequently or you behaved suspiciously.
In some situations, a store won’t be able to identify somebody from the camera footage, but this isn’t something you should depend on if you’re thinking of shoplifting.
Even if you think you’re facing away from the camera, you might be picked up on another feed, or identified walking into or out of the store.
You should therefore assume that you can be identified, even if you think you can’t.
What If The Store Lets You Go?
If you’ve been seen shoplifting on camera, you should be aware that the store could theoretically follow up with you even if you have been approached and then released. They can still report you to the police later if they decide to.
A lot of people mistakenly assume that if they have left the store, they are safe from prosecution, but this isn’t the case.
Depending on the size of the theft, there will be a statute of limitations lasting at least 6 months, but potentially several years. Until that runs out, the store can follow up with you.
It’s important to be aware of this if you have shoplifted and you think you were seen on camera. You may wish to speak to a lawyer to find out what your situation is likely to be and to plan for the outcome if they do decide to press charges.
What Happens If You Go Back To The Store?
If a store has spotted you stealing on camera and you then return to the store, a few different things could happen. Firstly, the store might simply refuse your entry and may issue you with a formal notice of being banned.
Alternatively, the store may ask for your details so that they can report you to the police or may even ask you to wait while they call the police. Note that you are not obliged to comply with these demands; you do not have to tell the store any of your personal details. However, if a police officer is present, you should cooperate with their questions.
It is generally advisable not to go back to a store you have stolen from, even if you think you were undetected.
What Kinds Of Cameras Do Stores Use Today?
There’s been a sharp uptick in the number of stores using sophisticated, high-quality cameras that are good at capturing crisp images.
As security cameras have got cheaper, stores have begun installing better ones and in greater quantities, covering larger portions of the store.
In many places now, it’s difficult to find any spots that aren’t covered by a camera, which makes it much more challenging for shoplifters to go undetected.
Stores may also keep footage for weeks or even months so that they can cross-reference images.
Conclusion
Getting caught shoplifting on camera can lead to a wide range of outcomes. You might find that nothing happens, or you could face bans, court summons, fines, and jail time, depending on the severity of your crime.
Be aware that footage can be used as evidence in court, and if you think you have been caught shoplifting on camera, you should speak to a lawyer.
Reference Sources
https://bettertogether.org/what-happens-if-you-get-caught-shoplifting-on-camera/