Not sure what to think...

AllAboutTheBenjamin

So a friend of mine got picked up for shoplifting yesterday... and the entire thing was really, really strange.

It was Ben's birthday and we spent the entire day basically (from noon to around 4:30) at a local bar watching football and drinking.  Well, I wasn't really drinking... someone had to drive these drunks around. 

Anyway, we were with one of Ben's friends (I'll call him Lannie) who's a best man in our wedding, and his girlfriend (I'll call Denise).  Lannie dated some girl we went to high school with for nine years and when it finally ended, he met Denise, and we LOVE her.  She's amazing.

Well, Lannie needed a haircut, so we took him to the mall.  My cousin is a cosmetologist at a department store salon and we went there.  Denise was in there the entire time, and so were we, because, well, it was kinda funny to watch him get his hair cut while he was liquored.  After he was done, the mall was closing, so we walked out and this person comes up to Denise before we could get to my car and says "Excuse me, ma'am - you're going to have to come with us...." and something about how they were the store's somethingorother authority (although this kid didn't look more than 18).

She looked surprised and offered up her purse for them to search in, but they said  "No, it's your ring," and she laughed and was like "whatever" and went with them.  We were just standing there like, huh?

We stayed for maybe 15 minutes but she never came out, and Ben was worried she wouldn't want us to stay because it was embarrassing, so we left.  I texted her though, something to the effect of "please let us know how you're doing asap" and she answered "The ring they think I stole is the one Lannie bought for me!  Wtf?"

She does have a ring that he bought for her, and none of us THINK she'd actually steal anything.  We were with her the entire time and didn't see her take anything (although if she IS a closet pickpocket, I'd imagine she'd be a pro at this).  At this point... we just aren't sure what to think. 

I haven't heard from her since last night, so I don't know what happened.  I don't know if she actually stole something so if she did, maybe she doesn't want to talk about it, but if she didn't - I mean, she says (or "says") they were accusing her of stealing something she already owned, so if it was all a big misunderstanding - wouldn't she have been out of there fast enough?

The whole thing was just so weird... and I'm still just really befuddled by it all.  Like, whoa.

dmiller9274

Was she wearing the ring when you guys were watching the game?

Blueyed228

Jesus Christ AATB.

jasmineh7777

Did he buy the ring for her at the same place you were shopping (erm hair cutting) in?
That's really, really weird.

 I've had the door alarm thing go off when H and I got groceries before. It's happened mroe than once, and it's the condoms every time. Apparently you really have to swipe those suckers. They must get stolen a lot. It's always mortifying.

BecW2be

Holy cow! I mean, wouldn't they need proof like an empty box or video proof to stop her at all? That's tricky. I guess you won't know anything other than what she tells you, so that's not going to ease your concern. She could be a liar and a thief, or neither. That sucks.

Steph0871

Aaand there's a novel post. I've been missing those

But, really. Do you remember her having the ring before yesterday?

AllAboutTheBenjamin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:749d6f07-9e07-4aac-962e-b6a55376d414">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]Holy cow! I mean, wouldn't they need proof like an empty box or video proof to stop her at all? That's tricky. I guess you won't know anything other than what she tells you, so that's not going to ease your concern. She could be a liar and a thief, or neither. That sucks.
Posted by BecW2be[/QUOTE]

...Exactly.  I mean they do have security cameras in the store, we didn't *see* her take anything, and I honest to God didn't notice if she was wearing a ring all day or not.  But when I asked Lannie about the ring he bought her he knew what she was talking about.

It was just weird.  I hope she was okay :(  I more than likely won't see her til the wedding this weekend.

Ya think you know somebody :( I really hope she didn't do it.

ETA - Jas, I don't know where Lannie bought this ring, but he says he bought it for her recently, before yesterday.

jasmineh7777

Hmm.
 Does she wear a lot of black and white striped shirts? Is her purse black, with a big dollar sign on it? Does she wear a black stocking cap?
 I'm sorry AATB, but I think your friend is a cat burglar.

dmiller9274

I don't know if it's the same everywhere, but here in Ohio the laws are pretty strict. If a security guard/officer stops you, they better be positive you stole something.  It's a huge liability to accuse someone and embarrass them like that. She could come back and sue the store for a shiit ton of money if wrongly accused. I worked at Wal-Mart in HS and I remember getting pissed because we knew that people stole stuff and got away.  If they security person takes their eyes off of you for a minute, they can't stop you because you could have ditched it. 

NatesGirl16

SarahPLiz

But do you know for sure that the issue is actually the ring. That's just what she texted you, right? Likely story. It could be about something entirely different that made it in to her purse and she was too embarrassed to fess up. 

ETA: Nevermind. I re-read.

JaciAngel9

I worked security at a department store.  You'd be surprised what we could see with those cameras.  Every nook and crannie in the store, except fitting rooms and bathrooms.  We could zoom into purses to an extent (so keep your purses zipped) but that's to document on video that we see the merchandise in your possession.  When we caught somebody, we would take them into the security room for processing which is where we would take pictures of the shoplifter, the merchandise, and then the cops would be called.  I'm not sure what your area has but I know around here, if somebody's arrested, it's public knowledge.  There were some slick shoplifters too.  But we also had shoplifters that would frequent our specific department store at all malls within a 2 hour range.  So their pictures would be up and if we saw them in the store, the cameras would be on them.  The rings were the hardest items to catch because we would need to make sure the person had the ring on them, somehow and that the box was empty.  Usually the shoplifter put the ring in their pocket or their purse, not on their hand.  So I would say she didn't do it.  If security was as young as they look to you and their manager wasn't there, they probably don't know all of the implications of accusing somebody.   I honestly, wouldn't think she did it.  If she was experienced, she definitely would not have put the ring in plain sight while still in the store.

JaciAngel9

Alss, down here, we weren't allowed to approach somebody in the parking lot.  Once they left the doors, we couldn't do anything.   

[Deleted User]

That cat has a cane! I'm going to ask it to mow my lawn!

NuggetBrain

I got stopped once for shoplifting at a Marshall's.  They said I stole the pair of gloves I was wearing.  They actually made me sit in the back room for like, an hour while they went to "go over the evidence" and crap.  I went with them because I figured it was a mistake that could be quickly remidied since I obviously I didn't take anything.  And they ended up letting me go after hemming and hawing about some security "miscommunication" bullsh*t.  Then again, this was when I was younger (so like, 15 years ago) so maybe laws have changed since then.  But I'm just saying, it does happen.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:f8b2babe-bd3c-4785-99ea-3296b0ae031b">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]I worked security at a department store.  You'd be surprised what we could see with those cameras.  Every nook and crannie in the store, except fitting rooms and bathrooms.  We could zoom into purses to an extent (so keep your purses zipped) but that's to document on video that we see the merchandise in your possession.  When we caught somebody, we would take them into the security room for processing which is where we would take pictures of the shoplifter, the merchandise, and then the cops would be called.  I'm not sure what your area has but I know around here, if somebody's arrested, it's public knowledge.  There were some slick shoplifters too.  But we also had shoplifters that would frequent our specific department store at all malls within a 2 hour range.  So their pictures would be up and if we saw them in the store, the cameras would be on them.  The rings were the hardest items to catch because we would need to make sure the person had the ring on them, somehow and that the box was empty.  Usually the shoplifter put the ring in their pocket or their purse, not on their hand.  So I would say she didn't do it.  If security was as young as they look to you and their manager wasn't there, they probably don't know all of the implications of accusing somebody.   I honestly, wouldn't think she did it.  If she was experienced, she definitely would not have put the ring in plain sight while still in the store.
Posted by JaciAngel9[/QUOTE]

Jaci, my dear, I'm going to need you to start making some paragraphs.

NatesGirl16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:df3b0e7b-71f2-462b-b681-f401f9c61911">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]That cat has a cane! I'm going to ask it to mow my lawn!
Posted by cew515[/QUOTE]
Only if you want him to steak your flowers.  He's hardcore.

missy68

Odd, because once you LEAVE the store anywhere I've been, is when they can get you for shoplifting.

Otherwise, you're just carrying it around the store.

NatesGirl16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:0c8ca06a-6d2a-48fc-849f-4a04f12e0bd6">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah right. You think I have flowers? Bless your heart.
Posted by cew515[/QUOTE]
Haha, I was trying to be nice ;).  Okay, so he'll peak through your windows, but you'd probably like that.  Cat burgalar is yours!

NuggetBrain

And they did stop me in the mall after I left the store.  I think they can stop you after you leave the store, but they're not supposed to stop you once you get to the parking lot (due to safety issues, I would assume).

betrothed123

Nates- How exactly does one steak a flower?

kd.joseph

Nates- I love that cat.

Lenore2010

In Minnesota, they nail people at the doors it is pretty difficult in the parking lot but I have seen it done a time or two, but with police already at hand.

anna.oskar

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:3243d221-8135-4c0d-91fd-8e63bb814e04">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]And they did stop me in the mall after I left the store.  I think they can stop you after you leave the store, but they're not supposed to stop you once you get to the parking lot (due to safety issues, I would assume).
Posted by NuggetBrain[/QUOTE]

Here, they can't legally stop you.  They can put themselves in your path and say "i'm gonna need you to come with me" or some other such tough-guy talk but you actually don't have to stop because they don't have the authority to detain anyone.

I get stopped all the time by security.  I have a "bad" habit. (It's the norm in some places but not here apparently) I like to bring my own shopping bag to the store.  So i fill it as I walk and then hand the whole bag over at the register. 

NatesGirl16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:bec9b382-f1b3-4966-ac4e-81c39e5f98c8">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]Nates- How exactly does one steak a flower?
Posted by betrothed123[/QUOTE]
Hah, this is why I don't post at lunch.  I feel too pressured and end up saying ridiculous things!

I would imagine it might involve swapping steaks for stakes and trying to brace/support the flowers with meat. That would make for an interesting garden.

betrothed123

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:4d9b70ca-b187-4181-82ea-152821c593c6">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Not sure what to think... : Hah, this is why I don't post at lunch.  I feel too pressured and end up saying ridiculous things! I would imagine it might involve swapping steaks for stakes and trying to brace/support the flowers with meat. That would make for an interesting garden.
Posted by NatesGirl16[/QUOTE]
That garden would make me hungry.

JaciAngel9

Because this is not an English paper or class and it's a response, not a paper with an intro, body, conclusion, I did my best to put into paragraphs. 

I worked security at a department store.  You'd be surprised what we could see with those cameras.  Every nook and crannie in the store, except fitting rooms and bathrooms.  We could zoom into purses to an extent (so keep your purses zipped) but that's to document on video that we see the merchandise in your possession. 

When we caught somebody, we would take them into the security room for processing which is where we would take pictures of the shoplifter, the merchandise, and then the cops would be called.  I'm not sure what your area has but I know around here, if somebody's arrested, it's public knowledge. 

There were some slick shoplifters too.  But we also had shoplifters that would frequent our specific department store at all malls within a 2 hour range.  So their pictures would be up and if we saw them in the store, the cameras would be on them. 

The rings were the hardest items to catch because we would need to make sure the person had the ring on them, somehow and that the box was empty.  Usually the shoplifter put the ring in their pocket or their purse, not on their hand.  So I would say she didn't do it. 

If security was as young as they look to you and their manager wasn't there, they probably don't know all of the implications of accusing somebody.   I honestly, wouldn't think she did it.  If she was experienced, she definitely would not have put the ring in plain sight while still in the store.

NatesGirl16

B--that garden would make for a bloody massacre on your lawn.  I assume you get bears, too.

staceytaylor0704

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:487133c0-0d3c-415a-8b5f-0ca31bf1f906">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]Alss, down here, we weren't allowed to approach somebody in the parking lot.  Once they left the doors, we couldn't do anything.   
Posted by JaciAngel9[/QUOTE]

did you work for Dillard's?

betrothed123

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_not-sure-think?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:b1d7f0ea-5424-4844-9fed-0c29fbdbc4d2Post:bf65dd50-dee2-4a5b-9dcd-09185a61482c">Re: Not sure what to think...</a>:
[QUOTE]B--that garden would make for a bloody massacre on your lawn.  I assume you get bears, too.
Posted by NatesGirl16[/QUOTE]
The bears wouldn't have a chance to get to it because I'd eat it all first :)

Y I Oughta

I had someone accuse me of stealing a ring once. I had been trying some on at a counter and when I was done I put mine back on. The security guy stopped me and I had to sit and wait for them to rewatch the video over and over. They didn't watch the whole video from me taking the ring off until I told them I had, then they watched from the beginning and were all flustered when they realized they were wrong. It was still embarrassing.

Maybe she had been fiddling with the ring while in the store and they found it suspicious. If the bf has the receipt he can help prove he bought it before yesterday.