Shoplifting.

[RayRay1013]

I've been a total idiot. You've heard it all before. I'm a moron. And beyond remorseful. I guarantee you I won't do it again and vow to be a good person.

 

But up until yesterday, for approx 18 months, I wasn't a good person.

I have been shop lifting from a number of shops. 3 to be precise. Every few months.

 

But yesterday. I was in asda. I had been shop lifting. And secreted the items. One item I left blantantly on show which I was planning on having an excuse for. However, when paying for the items I had in my trolley. A staff member asked if I was paying for that item. I explained I was going to customer services to exchange it.

 

I did go to customer services. There was a queue. I waited less than a minute, then I wandered out of the store. As I was packing my car boot. Another member of staff came to me and asked where the item was. I opened the boot back up and gave it her. She said that she'd been told by her colleague that I justed walked out of the shop. The staff member with the item in hand.

 

Went back into the store. I put the trolley away, then she came back out with the item and asked me where the receipt was. I said I didn't have it. I assured her I had gone to customer services but it was busy. I asked her for the item back. She gave it me. And I drove off.

 

I sounds calm. But I'm not. I haven't eaten I haven't slept. I'm scared to death that they will review the cctv footage. Realise that further theft took place. Contact the police. And the police turn up on my doorstep. I can't tell my husband. I can't talk to anyone about this. I'm completely ashamed of myself.

I have anonymously contacted a solicitor to verify if the police can come after the event of shoplifting, via the use of cctv. And they said yes, it's very common.

 

I read that a little old lady accidently didn't pay for a joint of meat and then 2 and a half weeks later the police turned up on her doorstep with a fine.

 

I have ready many articles here. You are very level headed. I know you can't see in tot he future, but in your experience:- can you advice what is likely to happen please.

 

Thank you.

Edited September 22, 2016 by honeybee13
Paras.

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG. The forum guys should be along later with advice for you.

 

One question that might be helpful to understand is whether there's a reason that you shoplifted. Could you tell us a bit more please?

 

My best, HB

[RayRay1013]

Thank you HB.

It's a question I've asked myself. And the answer is vile:- arrogance. Yes, I suffer with horrid depression, which is medicated. I do see specialist. But I'd hate to blame that. I'm a pathetic person, who has no viable reason to have behaved in such a despicable manner.

[silverfox1961]

Hi and (finally) welcome to CAG.

 

While no one has a crystal ball, I don't think that the security staff have the time to scan every days footage to find one person in the thousands that use the store. Unless they have facial recognition technology (unlikely) they shouldn't spot you. Maybe the staff member you spoke to believed you and left it at that. It really is just a case of wait and see. Hopefully for your mental health nothing comes of this but no it is time to sort your issues out.

 

Anti depressants will only go so far. As you have a specialist, you do need to speak to them to help you. While depression is not an excuse, it is a reason why people do silly things (been there, got the T shirt) I'm sure you have been told that stealing gives you a rush that you desperately need to help you feel normal but it can never be the answer. If you haven't told your GP or the psyche team of this, I advise you do so as they may have better ideas to assist.

 

Thank you HB.

It's a question I've asked myself. And the answer is vile:- arrogance. Yes, I suffer with horrid depression, which is medicated. I do see specialist. But I'd hate to blame that. I'm a pathetic person, who has no viable reason to have behaved in such a despicable manner.

 

As for that quote. I would advise you to stop. As I mentioned before, there are various reasons we make choices (both good and bad) and that is based on the state of mind of the person at the time. Please try to focus on the better things you have rather than the negative. Nobody (well almost) is beyond redemption.

[RayRay1013]

Thank you silverfox. You have been extremely kind to me considering what I have done.

I can wholeheartedly promise, that my behaviour has stopped. I am staying away from all shops due to my shame, not that temptations is still alive in me. It is not. Frankly, I feel like a not worthy human being. (woe is me, sorry).

Sadly, it's a shop I did frequent, on and off, for proper purchases. But I would die a thousand deaths if I were to be recognised (in the future). Are there very real repercussions? I.e. Being barred from the store, the police being called?

I don't know why I am even considering the future.....I need to get past this awful situation and a chance of an outcome involving the police.

I am thoroughly ashamed of my behaviour and as such I have never broached the subject with my psychiatrist. For fear of reproach and being "seen" in a different light.

Im scarred witless of the police coming here. On the point of being believed, im not certain. The member of staff who conceded and returned the item to me, sighed in a way that I interpreted as "what can I do?....I can't prove you're a thief". She appeared to me to have been the type of person to have just let it go. However, the original individual appears to have a far more determined character....who would have ensured it was seen through. Who knows.

I'm a wreck, and deservedly so.

[silverfox1961]

Stop putting yourself down. Get better first then you can deal with the future. I can't say I know a vast amount about mental health but what I do know is that if the police did ever get involved, mental health issues can be used in mitigation.

 

For now, try not to worry about the 'what if's' Deal with now.

[RayRay1013]

Thank you silverfox.