What Happens If You Get Caught Shoplifting at Target?
If you get caught shoplifting from Target, you could face criminal charges for theft. Target is known for its extensive loss prevention practices and active efforts to catch shoplifters. Some strategies that Target loss prevention officers use include video surveillance, plainclothes security officers, and uniformed staff at the exits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u24viPG6LTk When a security guard thinks that a customer is shoplifting, the guard will stop and question the potential thief. If any stolen property is recovered, Target will often issue a “no trespassing” order against the shoplifter, banning them from returning to the store. Target loss prevention will also contact the police, who will respond to the store to conduct an arrest and initiate criminal charges. Does Target Press Charges for Shoplifting? Yes, Target will typically pursue criminal charges against shoplifters. According to Texas law, shoplifting is a type of theft. Texas Penal Code § 31.03, which is the theft statute, states that “A person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property.” In other words, an individual commits theft when they take property that belongs to someone else and doesn’t intend to return it to the owner. When a theft occurs in a retail store during regular business hours, it is commonly referred to as shoplifting. The seriousness of the theft charges a shoplifter can face depends on the value of the merchandise taken and the shoplifter’s criminal record, with potential charges ranging from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. …