Arrested for NO REASON

Cops should only follow what the law tells them. She may have been innocent, but this is what our courts are for. To prove that she is innocent. And if she chooses maybe she should consider suing whomever may be responsible. If you start to tell cops to listen to those who arrest them many criminals would take advantage of this and simple say what they were doing was a mistake. There needs to be some kind of a system. It's sad that some people may be violated because of this, but that is what civil court is for.

It shouldn't have to come to that point. The other side should have listen first to the statements of the girl before arresting her and brought it to the court. Things have been complicated.

I feel bad for that girl, for I know how easy it is to make that kind of mistake, and I think that they should have listened to her explanation. I almost did the same thing some time ago. My husband and I were in a shop and I picked up a small bag that I wanted to buy. I was about to leave the shop without paying for it, because I thought that it was my own bag that I was carrying. Fortuneately my husband saw it and said: "Aren't you going to pay for that bag?" I got a shock, I didn't mean to steal at all I simply forgot that I was carrying a bag that I hadn't paid for.

Cops are usually automatic when it comes to any cases which violates a law. They close their ears and focuses their attention to the accused so that he/she could not escape. I haven't seen one cop who treats nicely to a suspect even if the violation isn't verified carefully. We can't blame them because true criminals are always in a battle mode. They consider all cases like criminals.

I understand why you feel badly for this girl, especially since everybody makes mistakes, and it does sound like this was an honest mistake rather than a criminal act. However, I think that the security guard was just doing his job. How many criminals actually admit that they are stealing or committing a crime? I would say almost none. Most make up some excuse if they get caught, and the security guard has no way of knowing whether or not this girl is telling the truth, so he had to handle the situation "by the book".

No matter what the case is, shoplifting is something that is taken a hardline, no tolerance stance to the point where you would think there was murder or attempted murder going on. Of course, that does sound like a story that someone would make to get off when they really were stealing something, no matter how true something is. And obviously while innocent people get caught, there are not so innocent people who have slipped by with stolen goods. Of course, many people do think that they are innocent but there is a case where a truthfully innocent person has been caught up in some problem. Sadly, making the people who believe that matter is going to be an uphill battle and some people follow the law rather closely to the level. It is rather harsh but it is a case where something like that is just going to occur time and time again. The saddest thing is that there is a reason why such a hardline stance is taken but innocent people do get caught in the crossfire.

What a very unfortunate accident. I believe the cop was just doing his job, but there must be a process to it. I mean he could have sent her to management first and let her explain her side, that way the management gets to decide. I wish her good luck on this.

They're hired to stop things from going out of the store without being paid for. Period. They're not to judge. That's for a judge or a jury. You're taught that in security classes. If he had let her go, he would have been fired. You're not hired to listen to stories. Even if you think they're true. I walked out of a store one time with something, got to my car, realized I hadn't paid. Went back in and paid. Luckily, they didn't have store security. I have done it, I know people forget they have things in their hands. To prevent that, you get a cart or basket, even if you only have one item. You have to remember that your job is to buy something before you leave. If there were no tags on the glasses, then she might have a case, but if the glasses had tags on them, esp. if the tags were stapled on or tied on, then probably not. You can say you thought they were yours, but if there is a tag or something on it, they probably won't listen. If she removed any tags and then left with them, that would probably be seen as intent to steal. Since she has no record and it's for something that would be considered petty theft, she might get the case dropped, or only have to pay a fine. Unless the sunglasses were really high end. Here over $500 is a felony. Lower than that, a mistomeener (spelling?). Since she has never gone before a judge before, they might expunge it. The store may just say that she can't go in again.It will be interesting to see what happens Some places have a "Don't shop here again," policy and that's cheaper for all parties.

Sad that she was treated badly. If there weren't so many scammers and get away artists out there then she might have been believed and let go. Cops don't believe us anymore because they have had to deal with the jerks who lie and lie about their names, the whole thing. Pretty sad.

I agree. There are circumstances to every situation and they are not always the ones that require the aggressive cop status. I think there are times when they can get carried away with their jobs and forget that we are people too. We can make mistakes and forget things without it being crime related. That is a shame.

I think the police should listen if the person has never committed a crime before. The ones that are always doing the same thing and crying their innocent, okay don't believe them. But people like your friend, she should have been heard. Like I said, there are loads of people that commit crimes every day and say their innocent. And I feel bad that she has to rely on the system, I hope they do not falsely judge her guilty which does happen too. Relying on the system would be the scariest part for me! I hope all turns out okay for her. She will be in my prayers.

I think what happened is not fair. The cops should have listened to the woman before arresting her like a criminal. It was an accidental fault and was truly unintentional. Although the cops are aware of the people who might use this kind of tactics to shoplift, they should still assess and reexamine all angles before they arrest a person. They should review their surveillance camera if the act was an intentional one or not.