Asked 6/17/2016 – Houston, TX

I live in California but few months ago I was caught shoplifting at Walmart in TX. The officer took me back to the back office for shoplift around $50 worth of goods. He then made a call and I was told that he needs to confirm with his “boss” if he will call the police or not, I was scared and crying. He then handed me his cell phone ask me to talk to his “boss” directly, the guy on the phone told me if I give him a massage at a hotel room, he will not call the police, I told him I can’t, he then keep telling me that if I don’t want to go to jail, my only option is meet him at the Walmart parking lot( I don’t know where he was) and he will pick me up and we will book a hotel room and I have to give him a “massage”. The officer stood next to finally said why I was on the phone with his “boss” so long, he took his phone back and started to speak to his “boss” with another language, he seemed unhappy with what he just heard, after that he just asked me to leave and gave me a notice. Can I actually sue them back?

Answer

You have the right to sue anybody for anything; I am not sure, however, of what damages you could prove and what your recovery would be. You can contact a personal injury attorney in the county where the events occurred concerning any civil suit. The actions of the loss prevention officers, however, are unacceptable and should be reported to store management. You may not be the only person who has been placed in this situation, and Walmart will not know about the situation unless someone tells them. You also must be aware that if you make this claim and notify the store, you can be expected to have to speak with several people on several occasions. You must prepare yourself to deal with this for a while.