Shoplifting doesn’t seem like a big deal, does it? Yet American businesses lost nearly $62 billion to theft and fraud in 2019. That’s an increase of more than $11 billion from the previous year.
This statistic may make shoplifting seem easy. You may feel the temptation to slip into a store and sneak out with something you like. In reality, shoplifting is more difficult than meets the eye.
How long after shoplifting can you be caught? How much time do the police have to investigate a case? What do stores do to stop shoplifters?
Answer these questions and you can understand how easy it is to get caught shoplifting. Here is your quick guide.
Contents
The Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations is the law that defines how much time the police have to initiate a criminal case. Each state has its own statutes.
In general, the police have a few years to press a shoplifting case against you. The higher the value of the stolen item is, the longer the statute is. The police may file a larceny charge, which can be a felony.
They also have more time if the shoplifting case involves battery or aggravated assault. You may receive multiple charges at once.
The Timeline of Shoplifting Investigations
A shoplifting investigation begins when an employee notices that an item is missing. Most stores take stock at least once a day. An employee may notice a discrepancy in the stock and then go and check the cameras.
But shoplifting can get noticed a lot sooner. Nearly all stores have alarms that will go off if an item has not been paid for. A security guard may examine shoppers as they leave and find unpaid items.
Surveillance Cameras
Most stores place surveillance cameras near their cashiers and at their entrances. A store may also install cameras near aisles with expensive goods like video game consoles.
Once an employee knows something is missing, they will go and check the cameras. Within minutes of the theft, they can see a thief and contact the police.
A security guard may be monitoring the cameras already. Before someone has left the store with a stolen good, they may call the police to detain the shoplifter.
You may get caught shoplifting but let go. This often happens if the police or guard cannot locate the stolen item.
But the police can come to your house after shoplifting, or they can call you up on the phone. They may say that they are only there to ask questions, but they can use anything they say against you. If you say anything incriminating, the police will arrest you.
So How Long After Shoplifting Can You Be Caught?
You may have a lot of questions about shoplifting. How long after shoplifting can you be caught? The police have years to develop a case against you.
What are your chances of getting caught shoplifting after leaving the store? They are very high. Employees check the store’s stock every day and they can monitor surveillance cameras.
Can you get caught shoplifting months after the theft? Yes. The police can visit you at any time and detain you.
Don’t break the law. You can stay out of trouble by following our coverage and reading our legal guides.