Shoplifting incident questions
Discussion
I had an item stolen from my business just over a week ago. On Friday evening last week I spent several hours completing an online police report and uploading the relevant CCTV footage. I also shared images and video of the suspect on social media, which led to me obtaining a name and address. I passed this information to PC X, who I was liaising with. Initially, PC X considered sending a letter warning of arrest if the item was not returned, but after reviewing the details explained that the suspect was already known to police and that this approach would not be worthwhile. The matter was then referred to divisional officers for arrest attempts, and I was told I would hear further updates from them.
Following this, the suspect began sending me text messages apologising and promising to return the item. They referred to PC X by name, suggesting they had spoken with them. However, several promised returns failed to materialise. On Thursday, the suspect messaged to say they would bring the item back by 5pm on Friday. At 16:59 that day they claimed to be 15 minutes away. As we close at 5pm, one staff member agreed to wait. At 17:17 I asked where they were, and at 17:20 they replied that they were still around 10 minutes away. At that point I instructed the staff member (who was now working overtime) to leave, and informed the suspect accordingly. The suspect then claimed they thought we closed at 5:30, despite having previously acknowledged our 5pm closing time. I believe the suspect is intentionally wasting our time and has no genuine intention of returning the item.
They then said they would return the item on Today (Saturday), but as we are not open today, they promised this Monday by 12pm. I responded that I would now be pursuing police action for arrest and charge, and I emailed PC X to that effect. The suspect then replied that if they were arrested, I would not get the item back.
At present I have no idea what progress the police have made. I assume the suspect has not yet been arrested. If I do not hear back from PC X, what should my next steps be and who should I contact?
Additionally, does the suspect s statement, that they will not return the item if police take action, constitute any kind of offence, and would such behaviour be viewed negatively if the matter proceeds to court?
Following this, the suspect began sending me text messages apologising and promising to return the item. They referred to PC X by name, suggesting they had spoken with them. However, several promised returns failed to materialise. On Thursday, the suspect messaged to say they would bring the item back by 5pm on Friday. At 16:59 that day they claimed to be 15 minutes away. As we close at 5pm, one staff member agreed to wait. At 17:17 I asked where they were, and at 17:20 they replied that they were still around 10 minutes away. At that point I instructed the staff member (who was now working overtime) to leave, and informed the suspect accordingly. The suspect then claimed they thought we closed at 5:30, despite having previously acknowledged our 5pm closing time. I believe the suspect is intentionally wasting our time and has no genuine intention of returning the item.
They then said they would return the item on Today (Saturday), but as we are not open today, they promised this Monday by 12pm. I responded that I would now be pursuing police action for arrest and charge, and I emailed PC X to that effect. The suspect then replied that if they were arrested, I would not get the item back.
At present I have no idea what progress the police have made. I assume the suspect has not yet been arrested. If I do not hear back from PC X, what should my next steps be and who should I contact?
Additionally, does the suspect s statement, that they will not return the item if police take action, constitute any kind of offence, and would such behaviour be viewed negatively if the matter proceeds to court?
How did the suspect get your mobile number? You're dealing with a thief; don't expect him to do what he says.
When he says he won't return the item if he's arrested, you could reply that in that case he'll find a court summons waiting for him when he gets out, and so his life will be much easier if he returns the item by X date.
When he says he won't return the item if he's arrested, you could reply that in that case he'll find a court summons waiting for him when he gets out, and so his life will be much easier if he returns the item by X date.
Why are you encouraging a thief to return the item and receive no further punishment, its only because he's been identified from your CCTV that he's trying to worm out of it by offering to return the item. When he took it unless he's suffering from Dementia (unlikely) his intention was to permanently deprive you of it so the offence of theft is complete, let the Police arrest him and face the consequences at court, if they do their job properly they'll recover your property as well.
If he's not punished then he'll carry on doing the same to the next victim.
If he's not punished then he'll carry on doing the same to the next victim.
Lucky it was £250. Isn t that the lower limit to what the police will bother to assist with?
Honestly was surprised the police bothered at all. We ve had burglaries in our development. Apart from giving a crime reference number, the Police couldn t care less. No investigation was done, they didn t bother to look at the CCTV etc.
Anyway, agree with the others that they aren t going to return it. I d stop wasting my time with that. You could understand one cancellation, but a string of them like that, he is taking you for a fool
Honestly was surprised the police bothered at all. We ve had burglaries in our development. Apart from giving a crime reference number, the Police couldn t care less. No investigation was done, they didn t bother to look at the CCTV etc.
Anyway, agree with the others that they aren t going to return it. I d stop wasting my time with that. You could understand one cancellation, but a string of them like that, he is taking you for a fool
Thank you, everyone. There is more to this situation than I’ve outlined here, as I didn’t want to go on at length. The individual responsible for the theft had accompanied a friend to the business, and that friend refused to identify them after they left with the item.
We send communications from a mobile number, which is how the thief obtained a number to text us on. From the outset, I assumed the item was long gone, so I do not understand why the thief continues to prolong matters. I have not been seeking engagement, only waiting for the police to act, while receiving messages in the meantime and giving minimal replies.
The thief claimed they were distracted by a phone call. They appeared so preoccupied that they removed an item from another area and placed it where the stolen item had been, seemingly to conceal the theft.
To answer the question “Why are you encouraging a thief to return the item and face no further punishment?”, I’m not. PC X suggested writing a letter asking for return of the item or face arrest. The term used was “restorative justice.” I understood the “restoration” aspect but was unclear on where the “justice” element applied. PC X did not specify that returning the item would mean no further action, and I did not query this at the time, though I suspect that may have been the implication.
We send communications from a mobile number, which is how the thief obtained a number to text us on. From the outset, I assumed the item was long gone, so I do not understand why the thief continues to prolong matters. I have not been seeking engagement, only waiting for the police to act, while receiving messages in the meantime and giving minimal replies.
The thief claimed they were distracted by a phone call. They appeared so preoccupied that they removed an item from another area and placed it where the stolen item had been, seemingly to conceal the theft.
To answer the question “Why are you encouraging a thief to return the item and face no further punishment?”, I’m not. PC X suggested writing a letter asking for return of the item or face arrest. The term used was “restorative justice.” I understood the “restoration” aspect but was unclear on where the “justice” element applied. PC X did not specify that returning the item would mean no further action, and I did not query this at the time, though I suspect that may have been the implication.
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