Macy's theft case dropped; woman said false arrest

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Macy's theft case dropped; woman said false arrest
By JENNIFER PELTZ, Associated Press | April 30, 2014 | Updated: April 30, 2014 6:53pm

NEW YORK (AP) — A Pakistani shopper who said she was unfairly profiled and falsely accused of stealing jewelry at Macy's flagship store got the charges dismissed Wednesday, when prosecutors dropped a case that arose amid similar complaints about store security guards targeting minorities.

Joweria Khalid had faced misdemeanor theft charges after a Macy's guard said she tried to take $193 worth of items on Oct. 26. Her lawyer said that she was simply planning to go to another cashier and that the security agent gave a misleading account of his observations of her trip to the store, made famous by the Christmas film "Miracle on 34th Street."

Khalid ended up being detained by Macy's security for two hours, paying a $500 store fine and getting arrested, said her lawyer, Douglas Wigdor.

Khalid, a 31-year-old married mother of two children, said she was "overwhelmed" by the arrest.


Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Macy-s-theft-case-dropped-woman-said-false-arrest-5442042.php

[DeSwiss]

1. Sue the shit.....

...out of the bastards.

- Don't. Shop. At. Racist. Macy's.

K&R

[Kelvin Mace]

2. This is the "show stopper" for me

Laws in at least 27 states give stores the right to hold and fine shoplifting suspects and to try to recoup some losses, even if a person isn't convicted.

Corporations are a law unto themselves.

[enlightenment]

4. That stopped me in my tracks, also.

I wonder if anyone has ever studied the rates of shoplifting in those states versus states that do not allow these corporations to terrorize their customers into handing over cash based on the store's assertion of theft? I suspect the rates are higher in those states that allow stores to do this.

Yes, people do shoplift - but the idea that the stores can hold someone (bad enough) and fine them without benefit of proof or conviction is insane.

[Kelvin Mace]

5. Pretty soon, they will sneak it into the credit card agreements

"By using this credit card you consent to be subject to the rules and regulations of this store including summary judgment on matters of shoplifting..."

[enlightenment]

8. After looking at the leeway

the current law gives stores, I'm not sure they need to do that.

[Hestia]

3. and businesses wonder why people shop on the internet tubes. Who wants to be harassed

at a store and "fined."

[dickthegrouch]

6. A store fine?

Isn't that more properly called extortion?
They would have to have me arrested if anyone tried to impose a store fine on me.

[Jesus Malverde]

7. Picking up jewelry and then hopping on an escalator to another department is unusual..

[enlightenment]

9. But not necessarily nefarious.

This store has a history of poor judgment in these matters, particularly when it concerns people of color. Any store that has an on-site jail to hold "suspects" while attempting to coerce them into signing a confession of guilt is so far out-of-line that they do not deserve the benefit of the doubt.

[Jesus Malverde]

10. The $500 fine is a big problem...nt

[LanternWaste]

11. I'd think going to another cashier is much more usual than

I'd think going to another cashier is much more usual than a "security agent gave a misleading account of his observations of her trip to the store..."


part deux.