I shoplifted but didn't get caught

LegacyUser

I shoplifted yesterday from my local aldi. I was shopping using a resuable shopping bag rather than a basket and for some reason (I would love to say it was accidental but it wasn't) I only put 2/3 of my items on the conveyor belt. The alarm beeped as I left but I just kept walking. I wasn't followed or anything.

I know what I did was wrong and I'm incredibly ashamed that I did it. I have resolved never to do it again, I just don't know how to make it right and I'm incredibly nervous that the cctv of me leaving with the alarm going off will end up on crimecall or something especially as I have very distinctive hair.

Any advice?

YellowLead

They won’t be bothered about a few food items, you can’t be serious about thinking that would end up on National tv?

To assuage your guilt, make a donation to charity equivalent to the value of the items that you stole.

At least you felt guilt and shame instead of thrilled afterwards, so you might be unlikely to reoffend...

Jim Root

Bring the items back and offer to pay for them. Say it was mistake.

Mr.Crinklewood

What were the items?

lawred2

Mr.Crinklewood wrote: »

What were the items?

52inch flat screen and an azalea shrub

tara73

probably a few cans of baked beans because they put this alarm beeping thing now on every food item, even vegetables I heard...

Jequ0n

Congratulations on your new bag, OP.
I’m sure this happens all the time and I wouldn’t worry about it

Edit: just realised I misread the OP, I had somehow read that you had accidentally taken the shopping bag. Sorry

Hannibal_Smith

Mod Note

Mr Crinklewood, lawred2, tara73 and Jequ0n, if you've no advice to offer the OP, then please move on to another thread.

Thanks

HS

golondrinas1

You probably Will do it until you get caught . oh! don't forget to fix your hair.

Wouldn't make a habit of this behavior , OP . I reckon you'll be fine on this particular incident , and would be very surprised if you hear any more about this .

Aldi's / Lidl generally don't have much in store security employed ( depends on location of store , it seems ) , so a lot of responsibility rests on staff / management . I expect that staff would report any suspicious activity to management , then a review of CCTV footage would take place .

Upon reviewing CCTV , a decision will be made as to whether you will be observed upon entering the store / shopping in store on a future occasion .

( P.s This is how the situation should be handled , following proper security procedures / due diligence . I have no actual experience / knowledge of Aldi / Lidl procedures ).

I saw you on crimewatch last night! I knew it was you because of the distinctive hair... sorry, but I have turned you in.

No in all seriousness though, my advice would be don't sweat it. This was a one off and the fact you're feeling remorseful shows you regret the decision. I agree with another poster that a donation to charity might relieve some guilt.

Bobtheman

I'd avoid the shop for a month and go back then. How would they identify you? Did you drive there? Then they might have cctv on your car.
Bottom line is if you don't hear from the cops after a week I doubt you have anything to worry about.
Don't go back in the shop and admit a crime.
Give the money to charity.
If you continue along this line eventually you will get caught.

angel eyes 2012

It sounds like a confession by Krusty the Clown.

But seriously, if you feel that bad, just return to the supermarket and tell the manager that you only realised you hadn't paid for the item when you returned home and offer to pay the difference there and then.

Oranage2

I wouldn't go back to shop and I'd certainly just not do it again.

For them to detain you they'd need to have looked at the cameras and made sure there were more items in your bag then you placed on the till. Would take them quite a while and you'd be long gone but they more than likely have you on their cctv and depending what you took they might hand it over to the gardai.

freshpopcorn

I wouldn’t recommend doing it again and providing the items you stole aren’t overly expensive I doubt they’ll spend their time waffling over CCTV.
( Was it meat you stole ?)

freshpopcorn

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I wouldn’t recommend doing it again and providing the items you stole aren’t overly expensive I doubt they’ll spend their time waffling over CCTV.
( Was it meat you stole ?)

Em , they will " waffle over the CCTV " .

( P.s I am employed in the private security industry , and have waffled ,many a time over CCTV , to catch people exactly like the OP ) .

Please read the advice I gave the OP in a previous post .

km991148

I'm not sure the problem is with paying or making good the mistake (I mean, you should, of course).

But you are saying this was a choice. I think you need to try and ask why, and if this indicative of a wider issue.

Oink

Jim Root wrote: »

Bring the items back and offer to pay for them. Say it was mistake.

Exactly that.

People talk about avoiding the shop, try to get away with it etc. This is too much hard work, too much stress.
Bring the items back to the shop with the receipt of the rest, and say you must have been distracted. That will be the absolute end of it. No one will have ANYTHING they can pin on you.

Then you can ask yourself what you were thinking. For now, don’t look for complications. Bring the stuff back, apologise for being silly, and pay for the items.

freshpopcorn

THE_SHEEP wrote: »

Em , they will " waffle over the CCTV " .

( P.s I am employed in the private security industry , and have waffled ,many a time over CCTV , to catch people exactly like the OP ) .

Please read the advice I gave the OP in a previous post .

I read you advice originally and I stand by what I said and in my experience as a retail worker.

freshpopcorn

freshpopcorn wrote: »

I read you advice originally and I stand by what I said and in my experience as a retail worker.

As you stated , a " retail worker" .

freshpopcorn

THE_SHEEP wrote: »

As you stated , a " retail worker" .

And in that experience unless the person is stopped at the door or caught red handed management doesn’t do anything about it.

I’ve even seen staff members approach security and managers about shop lifters and once it’s not great value a blind eye is turned to it.

Once the goods aren’t of great value nothing will happen to the OP in my experience.

I don’t think our debate is helping the OP.

freshpopcorn

freshpopcorn wrote: »

And in that experience unless the person is stopped at the door or caught red handed management doesn’t do anything about it.

I’ve even seen staff members approach security and managers about shop lifters and once it’s not great value a blind eye is turned to it.

Once the goods aren’t of great value nothing will happen to the OP in my experience.

I don’t think our debate is helping the OP.

Yes , your opinion , as regards security procedures , being a " retail worker " with very little to no knowledge of the proper security procedures , is VERY DANGEROUS to the OP , and could result in the OP gaining a criminal record .

freshpopcorn

THE_SHEEP wrote: »

Yes , your opinion , as regards security procedures , being a " retail worker " with very little to no knowledge of the proper security procedures , is VERY DANGEROUS to the OP , and could result in the OP gaining a criminal record .

I told the OP not to worry about it and not do it again.
I don’t see your big issue with my post and you said yourself you know nothing about Lidl/Aldi and procedure.( I never said where I worked or my position in the past)
Please move on from me. The OP can decide what to do now.

Hannibal_Smith

Mod Note

OP, I left the thread open so that you could get a steer on what do to next. However at the end of the day, theft is breaking the law and it is part of the Terms of Use of the site here that posters don't condone or encourage illegal activity (not in any way suggesting posters have done that so far by the way), but its a fine line that it would be better not to cross.

You have a few options above to go with for you to consider and I might just add that if you feel this was a compulsion that you felt you had no control over, there is help available to you that your GP can point you in the direction of.

On the basis of the above I'm going to close the thread there and thank posters who offered help and advice.

Thanks

HS