What is it like to get caught?

Many of the people in the comments are experienced thieves talking about their methods, tricks, and funny moments. I doubt any of them have personally been caught and convicted. <br><br>I am sure there are plenty of lurkers who want to know what it’s like to be caught, and now I can tell you from my personal experience. <br><br>I went to target with my friend who I will call T. T has stolen many times from this store and has never been caught. I was a rookie, but I was careless about my methods because I assumed I was invisible to the cameras and I had a buddy with me. <br><br>Let’s just say I wasn’t invisible. On that particular day, I didn’t steal anything which makes it even more embarrassing. I spent 10 minutes in the store talking to T as she tried to find something. I made eye contact with an employee who seemed to be watching us. When we left the store a few minutes later with empty hands, the employee came out and grabbed me by the arm. <br><br>He told me his name along with a few other words I couldn’t hear, but he was very calm and polite. I accused him of racism and police brutality. I said I wasn’t doing anything and he had no right to touch me. I tried to get him to let go of my arm, but he wouldn’t budge. <br><br>I eventually gave in and followed him to the back of the store. He asked me to give him my ID and I realized I didn’t have it on me. He asked why and I made up an excuse. He didn’t believe me, but I didn’t care. He got on the phone with his supervisor and told him that he caught me stealing. He said I might have been an employee who stole and he was going to check my work history. <br><br>I told him I wasn’t an employee. I told him I didn’t steal anything and he was harassing me. I started to panic and I didn’t know what to do. I was very angry at T for leaving me outside and not getting in a fight on my behalf.<br><br>Then I started to feel hopeless as I realized I was in big trouble. I told him I was going to throw up and he told me to throw up on the floor. I didn’t throw up, but I started to feel dizzy and I asked for a chair. I sat down and put my head on the table.<br><br>To my surprise he offered me a glass of water and repeatedly told me everything was going to be okay. He didn’t call the cops on me, but security saw me and called them. He told them I didn’t steal anything, but I was being threatening. About 15 minutes later, the cops came and took me to the station. <br><br>When we got to the station, they didn’t put me in a cell or handcuff me. They asked me a lot of questions which I assumed were to see if I was high. I wasn’t. I told them about my eating disorder and they didn’t care. They had me sign a document stating I couldn’t go back to target for a year. They gave me a ticket for disorderly conduct and menacing.<br><br>I just got out of court yesterday and my charges have been dropped. The judge told me to stay out of trouble and to get help for my eating disorder. I am very grateful to get a second chance, and I have learned an important lesson. I am unlikely to steal again anytime soon.