Had a Bad afternoon

End of .

It has all been sorted everybody! See Sharonberry's post on page 2. It was all a misunderstanding but most distressing for her.

Go to see a solicitor. Go to see a solicitor. Go to see a solicitor. Go to see a solicitor. One who knows something about criminal law. [Ask first] Your anxiety levels must be stratospheric. If there is any foundation to this - mistaken identity, malicious prosecution etc you need a solicitor. And you don't know if there is a foundation until someone professional has looked into it for you and [probably] spoken to the police for you.

Somebody somewhere is avin’ a larf.

I’ve worked in retail most of my life. The store has to stop you AFTER you have left the shop with something you haven’t paid for....ask you to
accompany them back into the shop ( which you DONT have to do by the way) .... and then search your property!! NOT wait ten or twelve days to sort it. It’s rubbish... don’t bother with any of it. Somebody’s been collared and given your name and address.!! Don’t forget to ask them what you were supposed to have stolen... exactly where the goods are now !!! Without the goods.... they haven’t got a leg to stand on. !!!

Probably found out her name and address as she had used her electric key very close after the shoplifter used hers ( within couple minutes ) now that she has been cleared they will now get the information from the right keycard and question the right person . Hope sharonberry you get an apology as it should not have happened ! Panic over ?

I think If the details were from someone checking the CCTV in the store I would seek compensation for their sloppy work and the undue stress they caused you. I would suggest he/she should be retrained on tracing times/incidents and following a trail.

I am glad it is all sorted now.

MawBroon, you are absolutely correct! I managed stores for 30 years and any shoplifters had to be challenged leaving the store.
Begs the questions a) how did they get your name and address and b) what proof do they have?
I would take someone with you when you go to the police station.
Hope all goes well.

Why does she need a solicitor? She hasn't been accused or charged.

hope you sort it all out? Do let us know how you get on.

Definitely sounds very fishy to me Sharonberry. My first thought was whether the 'police officer' was genuine, but then you stated that you have indeed reported to a police station and was told that the Officer was unavailable at the time. Personally, I would get a Solicitor asap.

Well as someone who has watched every police drama going I can confidently say this is rubbish policework. The CCTV would have on the exact time that the suspect used the top up machine. The owners of the machine would have the exact time that individual cards were used. Matching the two is hardly brain surgery. What happened to the OP is unacceptable given those facts so she should ask for an apology.

I was wrongfully arrested in April. 13 days after the alleged offence. This is so wrong... And as others have said how on earth did they get your address if they didn't stop you at the store?? Make sure you have a witness by your side at all times when you go to the police station, Good luck and do let us know the outcome. I don't trust the police anymore after my horrendous arrest (even put into a cell for hours, DNA taken, fingerprints, photo's etc.!!!). A total nightmare....

Or via the DVLA if the CCTV showed you getting into your car. It still sounds odd how they could mistake you for someone else. A very unpleasant experience.

I think a few people are overthinking this. How many times have we seen Crimewatch or similar programmes where members of the public who may have been at the scene of a crime are asked to come forward so as to be ruled out of the enquiries?

The shoplifting was probably discovered by somebody checking the CCTV (maybe later) so I think this is a simple case of eliminating people who also used the paypoint meter.

I have had a similar experience, and I think, unfortunately Sharonberry was at a disadvantage because they obviously had to take account of the grandchildren, which meant she was left worrying until it could be cleared up.
The police contacted me at work, and I was fortunately able to organise time immediately to deal with the problem. Although I understood the principle of contacting a solicitor, I was confident I could clear it up quickly - and would have asked for a solicitor had that not been so.
I didn't really have time to get upset before it was all over.

Whilst you may be going voluntarily, be careful! My daughter attended "Voluntarily" but was told that if she refused, she would be arrested!

They may have traced you from a "Loyalty" card if you used one but I'm sure you should have been challenged at the time!

Didn't see your update Sharonberry. It's a relief to know they cleared up their mess and shame on them for putting you through all this.

Re: my post........I think I'm watching too many mysteries and reading too many 'whoodunnits'. I'm now on Season 4 of the Dr. Blake Mysteries!

Do you shop there often. Did you use your ID (credit card, drivers license) every time you buy something there? This could be a case of identity theft. One of their employees could be complicit.

Here's another theory: Someone near you on the queue made it a point to get your information so she would have someone to frame should she get caught. The twelve day delay is the interval between the time she was released and the given court date for which she never showed up. She knew the police would come looking for her but they came to the address they were given. She's probably done this many times. The police should be looking for the same MO in other towns and other similar stores.

I agree with everything that has been said but want to make a point re the 12 days. I work in social care and have involvement with the police on a regular basis. They often take several days (or even weeks) to investigate a serious situation which we have referred to them.

I always thought that shoplifters had to be challenged as they left the store to check they actually had the goods on them. If you are innocent, how is cctv going to show up any evidence of this? They would have to find the goods on your premises too, surely. Sounds like a case for claiming compensation for deflamation of character and stress.

I had a similar incident some time ago in that police turned up at my door in the early hours saying I'd been seen driving 'erratically' by an off duty officer and asked me to take a breath test.

As I don't drink alcohol at all I said it was a waste of time and the cost of the equipment and, anyway, I could have just drunk a whole bottle of whisky after I'd returned home so how could they prove otherwise and while they were wasting their time with me they had probably missed lots of real drunk drivers on the road!!! The test obviously proved negative and they just 'advised' me to be more careful in future. Nothing was recorded that I could see.

I had left a pub very late after chatting about a quiz and was driving a bit more carefully and slowly as my car had developed a (minor) problem but I wasn't going to tell the police that but I would not call that 'erratic'! I think the officer reporting the incident lived opposite the pub and was out walking his dog and thought I'd be an easy target for drunk driving as he probably thought I'd been drinking after hours.

marionk

Please read the thread.

I agree with ga and GrannieAnnnie. Maybe the police were not as sensitive as they could have been but the OP doesn't know what other enquiries they may have been carrying out at the time.

The paypoint meter would log the keyholder's account details but the police would then have to contact the energy supplier to get name and address etc.

Twelve days does seem like a long time but there may have been other people to rule out as well.

Can you get someone reliable to be in your house when you go to the police station just in case it is a ruse?

GrannyAnnie2010 It ceratinly does warrant the calls to complain. The police get away with too much. The theft would have been discovered the same evening when the CCTV was checked and most stores have a detective so that shop lifting is usually discovered almost immediately. Shop lifters are usually apprehended before or very soon after leaving the store.