When I worked in operations, they made one thing clear. Unless someone had constant visual of a customer/employee steal something and walk past the door, there is nothing you should do. In fact there is actually only a few feet between the register and the door (the red zone) which it is ok to act.

Accusing someone of shoplifting when your visual of them broke between the time of the incident till they time they leave the store, even for only a moment, can have dire consequences.

Especially since nothing can hold the person there, nor do they have to allow you to search their bag.

Yet on the other hand, if we caught all the shoplifters, i wonder how much cheaper stuff would be to make up for the shrinkage…

I guess the bottom line is though, don’t sweat the small stuff.

I certainly would not have talked to the manager.

You did more than most (using me as ‘most’ here) and I applaud you for it. Don’t worry. Scum gets by all the time (assuming that she did do it. And scum’ll receive just desserts sooner or later.

I don’t know personally what I would’ve done. I used to carry a key card to my work garage in my purse, which set off alarms. (But you’re right – usually it would trigger it on when I walked in as well as walked out. Seriously, it was obnoxious. But not every. single. time. consistently.) So yeah, just one of those things. But again, I applaud you for going with your gut and not succumbing to not wanting to look like the bad guy.

Thanks for the explanation. I knew about the idea of the Citizen’s arrest, but I never understood under which conditions it was valid.

I guess what made me suspicious is how it went off when she went out and not in. Usually, as you mention, it’s both. I think I would have been happy if I’d'a gotten her license plate. At least then I’d know not only that they could review the tapes and tag the person, but also track her down.

And, again, I was probably being overtly suspicious. If I was a D&D character, I’d probably be aligned “Lawful Good” (Wait, is that even valid in 4th edition?)

Legally speaking, (in 49 out of 50 states) As a citizen you can’t detain someone unless you have personally witnessed them committing a felony. (shoplifting usually isn’t unless it’s over the dollar amount for a felony in your jurisdiction) In North Carolina, a citizen is not allowed to detain ever.

In the case where a felony is committed, say for example a bank robbery you witnessed while depositing your paycheck, you can legally detain someone (commonly called a Citizen’s arrest). In that case, you should call the police immediately and not move the suspect. If that person was found not guilty of a felony you could be charged with kidnapping and transport if you tried to move them. Police officers would generally advise any citizen to steer clear of citizen’s arrests because of the risk of injury and risk of the incident turning into a vigilante case.

Reporting your suspicions to the manager was the best course of action. Their security department can review the videos to see if the lady stole anything and they would be on the lookout the next time she comes in to “shop” or “lift”.

Of course hindsight is 20/20, the only thing I would have done better if I was alert and in your shoes would be to yell “hey shoplifter!” as she walked out the door. If she didn’t take anything she would probably stop (and be slightly ticked off at you). If she was guilty she would probably book out of there, hopefully with store security chasing her. Incidentally, store security can’t legally detain anyone either – unless they stole item(s) that totaled over the amount for a felony. Which is why those stores like to keep a peace officer on hand.

N

@Ben: You’re probably right.

There’s certainly no reason to beat yourself up over it – you did more than most people would.

My husband worked for Eddie Bauer ages ago and said he felt like his job was deterring people from stealing the product. It’s a shame that people think they need to steal anyway.

Hope your wife gets to feeling better.