Today, me and a family member were out shopping for a few last minute Christmas items, some of which being baby clothes, cheap toys, and some candy. I have a 5 month old son who was in his stroller who started fussing for a bottle, so I got his bottle out of his diaper bag, and put the few outfits I had in my hand in the stroller basket while I continued looking and feeding him. I made my way to the front of the store while waiting for my sister to get done looking and the store manager approached me and told me she needed to search my bag. Unaware of the reason, I asked why. She reached down into the basket on the stroller and grabbed the bag and searched it without my permission. Of course I had the usual baby items in there; wipes, diapers, bottles, formula, extra onesie. She then questioned where I got the *FILLED* baby bottles and I told her Wal*Mart. She continued to go on and on about the bottles and I told her there was no way that I had time to steal bottles, fill them with 6 ounces of water, and mix them with formula and have them cold while in that store. She then intructed me to stand by the register because I had apparently tried to conceal the baby outfits WHICH WERE HANGING OVER THE SIDE OF THE STROLLER BASKET WITH TAGS AND HANGERS STILL INTACT. I told her my sister was planning on buying the outfits along with some candy and some other little odds and ends. She then said I could pay for them right now, or she would call the authorities. I told my sister and she said she wasn't done shopping and that she would purchase the outfits when she was. The manager then got rude and very loud in front of many customers, took out her cell phone, and called the police saying I was shoplifting! So, between the time of the call, and when the police arrived some more odd and funny events occurred! I chose to walk outside while I was trying to make a phone call and she followed me telling me I had to go inside and I politely responded to that saying she had no right to make me stay ANYWHERE. I did not steal anything, and these were false accusations. My sister in the mean time was calling my mother, who just happened to be uptown and decided to pull in and see what exactly was going on. My 60 year old mother was in the parking lot and the manager started screaming at her for asking what was going on! We asked to see the tape, and she said she didn't have to show anyone anything. While I was asking a question, she picked up her cell phone and called the police again and told the operator the officer needed to hurry up because we were getting loud and harassing her! We were OUTSIDE of the store and SHE was the one OUTSIDE OF THE STORE harassing us. The officer arrived shortly after that, and went inside to get the managers side of the story. Since she wanted to prosecute, the officer had no choice but to follow it out and "arrest" me. I explained as much as I could to him, and rode to the police station to get my citation. I was not booked, or charged and was issued a court date.
I have tried to contact Family Dollar (the corperate offices) and have not gotten any return phone calls except for one. That lady chose to take my name and number and try to find out who the DM is and have him/her call me back. I'm still waiting for the call. So, in the mean time, this lady is allowed to stand out in the street and scream that me and my family are theives and are banned from the store. January 11th is my court date and I intend to plead not guilty to this offense which is bogus in the FIRST PLACE! In then, after that I will see what my options are. I'm pretty confident that I will not be charged with this and needless to say, I will be able to get my good name back. The manager (Matilda Beckworth) should not be allowed to conduct herself in this manner, much less conduct herself that way in front of customers! This is the most unprofessional thing I've ever witnessed in my life!
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