I went to Walmart with a friend last week. We browsed through the store and purchased several items including paint, a DVD, and toiletries. I returned to Walmart later that day to have the paint I had purchased earlier colored. Due to the heat and the fact that I have had my car broken into in the past, I put the DVD (which was opened) and lotions (that had been forgotten in the car) and the paint that I was going to have colored directly in my purse (a backpack type purse).
Since there was no one at the paint counter, I browsed through the store and picked up several items. I returned to the paint counter and requested the paint color then went to use the restroom. At this time, I realized that I had forgotten my receipt in the car and still had the uncolored paint in my purse.
When I returned to pick up the colored paint, I exchanged the paint by returning the uncolored paint to a shelf in the store and putting the colored paint in my purse so I wouldn't have to come back to the store again. I then went through the garden center where I paid for the items in my cart and exited the store.
After crossing the parking lot outside of the store, I was accosted by a man who said he was with Walmart's loss prevention. He accused me of having something that I hadn't paid for and I told him that I had paid for everything and showed him my receipt.
He continued to accused me of having something and attempted to grab my purse from me. I told him that I had paid for my things and that he'd no right to grab my purse. He stated, I know what I saw and he was making a citizen's arrest and had every right though he declined to tell me exactly what he saw.
He then forcefully grabbed my purse from my hand, twisting my finger in the strap, while shoving me backward (the next morning, my finger was severely bruised and tender but not broken and I experienced pain in my shoulder).
After opening my purse, he demanded that I return to the store with him. I explained to him that that I had a receipt for the items in my purse and asked him if I could get the receipt from my car. He called me a liar and refused to allow me to retrieve the receipt from my car to prove that I had paid for the items.
At this point, I decided to go with him into the store in an attempted to resolve the issue.inside the store, I again tried to explain that I had come in to the store with the items in my purse and I had a receipt to prove it but he insisted that he knew what he saw and again called me a liar. He then rummaged through my purse and wallet, removing cash and other items, and confiscated all of my purchases and called the police.
The LP stated to the police that he had seen me take the DVD but had no video surveillance because he claimed that the store did not have cameras in all aisles. At this point, I was asked to make a statement. I told the officer that I had a receipt for all the items but otherwise remained silent.
Based on the word of the LP, I was arrested and booked at the local Police Department. Upon being released with a citation, I had to walk several miles back to WalMart where I retrieved my car and went home.
I immediately called the manager of WalMart and explained that I had receipts for ALL of the items taken from me and could I come and pick them up. He said he would review the LP's report and the video and get back with me. I waited one week and finally went to the police with my receipt. The receipt was booked into evidence but the police refused to file an assault charge because I had waited too long. I called several local attorneys but NOT ONE is willing to take the case!
I am a mature professional with a clean record. I was not only humiliated by this experience but understand this arrest will be on my record even though the charges will more than likely be dismissed. I am outraged by this incident and want retribution but it seems that none will be forthcoming... I just have to grin and bear it!
Rachel
Roseville, California
U.S.A.
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