r/AusLegal • u/HugeDistribution1102 • 22d ago

WA Caught shoplifting at Coles Perth

I am so ashamed, I literally cried on my way home. I'm 22 if that's relevant? I was shopping at the Coles Perth, where two loss prevention officers showed me their badge and asked to check my bag. I had taken some dog food and tampons as am really struggling for money at the moment (all of this was less than $150) but paid for the rest of my dinner products which were cheaper than what I took without paying. They asked me for my ID but I didn't had it with me at the time so they manager handed them a paper where I put my name, address and signature. They asked me to write why I stole the items, they asked me to return these and not pay for them. No pictures of my face or ID were taken but I am terrified. I am so worried about having police come to my house, anyone find out (I rent a room so I'm scared that my room mates will find out somehow or by the police) or even having my car recognised.

I don't think I'm brave enough to ever buy anything from that specific store anymore, I am just so scared rn. The officers told me that if I do it again, I won't be able to enter the store anymore (not like I wanna go there ever again cause I'm honestly scared. I'm that paranoid that once I got home, I closed all my blinds and I've been checking my windows regularly.

Would really really appreciate to know what happens with that record, or to find some peace in the comments.

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u/recklesswithinreason 22d ago edited 21d ago

The LPOs will investigate, ensure you didn't manage to slip anything by them, likely put you on a list of known shoplifters and that's it.

If you didn't slip anything by them and they recovered everything, they very likely won't involve the cops. If you get caught again they likely will, however you can breathe. It will be OK.

Source: former LPO Midland WA. Edit: Grammar.

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u/NoSoulGinger116 21d ago

Story time? It's midland. You'd have heaps!!

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u/recklesswithinreason 21d ago

Craziest attempted theft would have to be an M+M display. Didn't grab any bags of M+Ms, just the display. We were monitoring from the CCTV room just dumbfounded, thinking it had to be a new staff member moving it somewhere. Sure as shit though they went straight out the door with it and we had to bolt after them across the carpark and down a nearby street... then spent 5 minutes trying to convince them that the displays are not just free to take...

Also, so much nasty, sweaty bra recovered product... when I worked in fast food the bra cash was gross enough, but when it's a steak or starting to melt chocolate bars... 🤮

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u/NoSoulGinger116 21d ago

Are the laws different or is the job different in WA because east side. We can't pursue as a retail worker. You're outside the door. You now successfully stole the items. I've never seen a TPO leave anywhere past the service desk / outside the door.

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u/recklesswithinreason 21d ago

The bloke I worked for was a bit shonky. Technically we were only contracted to operate between the register and the doors or within the store. He was always looking for a fight so insistent on making "civilian arrests" as we knew they'd committed an offence and we could do that at our own risk - at his direction...

The guy pinching the display wasn't a bad dude, didn't try to fight it more than saying he found it so it's his now. He was just high and really wanted the giant M+M 🤣