“Call the cops..”
I read the article and it said, “suppose you are browsing at Bloomingdales..” In order to prove/be arrested for shoplifting, you have to go outside the store or touch the door handles to leave. In our county, we are charged for bags so everyone brings in their own. I have filled a bag (and others) prior to going to the checkout. Believe you me... if some minimum wage security cop wanna be detained me and “offered” me a deal... I would make darn sure I have his/her name. I’d say call the cops and we will work this out in court. IMHO.
Yes...by all means, have them call the cops. But don’t stir one step from where you were “apprehended” and make sure you don’t let the store personnel near your purse or pockets until the cops arrive.
I had a friend who was detained and the store employee who fingered her had slipped a ring into my friend’s pocket. She called her brother (a cop) on her cell and he came right over. They had to let her go when the video footage in the jewelry area showed she hadn’t been there at all...plus, she had not left the store so she couldn’t be accused of shoplifting. Turns out the employees were stealing and trying to frame customers to explain the “shrinkage.”
My friend didn’t end up in trouble but it was an unpleasant afternoon for her.