Ok, this is just a question. Suppose a guy named JOE shoplifted a 40 dollar item at a Target store in california. And he gets away with it. But somehow Joe leaves the empty 40 dollar item box in a shelf, and they find the box that Joe touched. Will they look for fingerprints on it and stuff? And will they go after Joe?
2007-08-25 17:48:37 · 13 answers · asked by John Q 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
No. For an item that small in value, if he made it out the door, he has nothing to worry about.
The only reason to be scared is if it was worth at least 400 dollars. But even then they would have to catch him trying to sell it to get him.
Try to remember that a 40 dollar item is not worth a month in a dirty, dingy, tiny cell and a criminal record.
2007-08-25 17:58:32 · answer #1 · answered by Shellshock 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not trying to be rude, JOE, but you knew that you were breaking the law BEFORE you took the 40.00 item. It is a little too late to worry about getting caught now, whether they catch you or not. But to answer your question, no, they will not be finger printing the box as it would cost more than the item itself to do so, not to mention it would be wasting the precious time of our law enforcement. However, they could always look at the surveilance cameras with the hopes of catching you but this too is unlikely. It would require too much time and manpower to do so, and there is a good possibility that they can't pinpoint exactly when the item is taken. For instance you may have taken the item on Thursday. They may not have discovered the box until Monday. It would be too much work to look through 5 days worth of tapes and there is probably more than one camera that can catch the angle in which the item sits. Especially if the box was found in a different place than where it would normally go. So this time you are safe more than likely. Hopefully Target will be vindicated by your thievery another way. Karma for example.
2007-08-25 18:08:48 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle F 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They won't fingerprint it I can tell you that for sure. But just to let you know there are cameras all over that store and they have someone in the back watching the survellience. I've heard a lot of stories (a few friends work there) where people tried to steal stuff and get caught so the security guards would hold them until the police arrived unless you are like 7). But if you already did it, you won't get caught unless someone recognizes you in the store which is a very small chance.
2007-08-25 17:58:29 · answer #3 · answered by A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They could. But it's possible that dozens of other people have touched that box and finding a good print could be hard. Not to mention you wouldn't know if you want a suspect print, employee or other customer until you sent off the prints and that can be expensive. Video footage is much better evidence. However, some stores might wish to make an example of someone, so it is possible, but unlikely. Best advice to everyone, don't shoplift.
2007-08-25 18:24:54 · answer #4 · answered by Kenneth C 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe Joe has never heard of security cameras. Joe's face is in a database now. Joe needs to stop stealing.
2007-08-26 01:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by sister_godzilla 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More than likely they are not going to go that far for a $40 item.
Michelle F, here is a little clue: NO ONE HAS TO PAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES!! TAX PAYERS TAKE CARE OF THAT! So that every citizen can be safe. The Cops may tell the store, "No we are not going to waste our time and resources on finger printing that", but if they push it, it will happen. Get more extensive training on life.
By the way, I think if you don't pay taxes you should not have a right to police services.
2007-08-25 18:35:56 · answer #6 · answered by Unit 77 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They don't need your fingerprints. They have your photo. You are in the database. They will be looking for you when you go into that store again.
Here's a unique idea: Get a job!
2007-08-25 18:04:08 · answer #7 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi Joe
2007-08-25 17:55:56 · answer #8 · answered by ^MomentaryInsanity^ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no, and no. you have a minimal crime of with no suspect information other than the name of joe, and that doesn't get you very far unless you know him. seems you have been watching a lot of csi. and take that hat off if you are going to ask such a simple question.
2007-08-26 19:43:04 · answer #9 · answered by ROBERT G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely they won't. Loss prevention at retail stores like this deal with what's called shrinkage. It's considered a loss. Don't worry about you or your friend being caught.
2007-08-25 17:54:30 · answer #10 · answered by Glen B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋