There you go. >> You found them? >> Tampering with evidence, it's robbery. Are those it? >> That's them. >> Okay, you got to go. Turn around, ma'am. >> guys the video. >> You're under arrest for theft, for shoplifting. Turn around, ma'am, please. >> I'm just going to pull it up. I was waiting on the internet here. >> On May 11th, 2025, at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Chatham County, Georgia, a shoplifting call ended in a two-count arrest. The subject was charged with retail theft and tampering with evidence, a second charge that did not exist until she accessed a restroom under active detention. This is that encounter. What makes this stop analytically significant is that the subject's own decision inside that bathroom turned a single misdemeanor into a two-count arrest. >> Okay, there we go. We're going to watch it together. >> Okay. >> See where it went. It's either her or her. She really doesn't touch much. That's the lady she was with. That's when she grabs them. Yep, there she goes. She put them in her pocket, see? She just put them in her pocket. >> Yep, we got it. Okay. >> still be here. She sticks them in her pocket and hauls butt out the door. Cuz I had like four people in here at the same time. And I knew she took something cuz she went way too fast out of my store. >> Yep. How long ago was this? >> It was at >> Georgia. >> So, she left her luggage behind her. >> Okay, let me see if I can find her. >> All right, thank you. >> I'll come back to take more information if I can't find her. Yep. Okay, we got her on video. Stealing sunglasses at Walmart, Georgia. She's over here to my left at Southwest A, between 2 and 4. We got her on video. Yep, it's got to be Georgia Tech and they're the Air Force Ones. Yep, one pair of sunglasses. We saw her take off the shelf and put it in her pocket and leave. Can Can you hang and watch her? I'm going to go back to sunglasses aisle so I can let them know we got her. >> Okay. >> And to get the video ready on the phone. >> May I have your attention, please? >> Is her mom still at Gucci too? >> Oh, really? Did you have that on video? >> I can pull it up in a second. >> Okay, get ready to do that. We got them. >> Okay, yeah. That's red. It's red and blue. It's really noticeable. >> Okay. Um if they return it If they just give it back, do you want to still proceed? >> cuz it's over 500. >> Okay. She's looking. Hi, ma'am. I need to speak with you over here for a minute. You too, ma'am. >> About what? >> I need to speak to you over here. >> Okay, you can talk to me right here. >> All right, that's fine. Were you at the Sunglass Hut earlier? Looks just like you. Got you on video. Oh, yeah, we do. Yeah, we do. Yes, I do. She took some Guccis, too. >> You can come and show me on camera where you saw me. >> Oh, yeah, let's do that. Let's do that. Let's do that. >> And it's a way to tell like the way the officers is killing people and stuff. I'm protesting in a better manner than you are. >> Yeah, I don't know what you mean by that. I I don't get it, either, but I want to show you the video because your description fits exactly and we have you grabbing some stuff and putting it in your pocket. So, let's show you. >> She had the glasses and I took them. She told me to put them back and I handed them to her. >> That's fair enough. And then you'll show that dialogue when we do the video. Let's go ahead and proceed, please. >> Okay, first of all >> Here is your stuff. >> I want to know if my stuff can be watched because that's the flight that I'm taking to go back. >> Okay, so Would you like to bring that stuff with you when we go down there? >> Yeah, I can grab my stuff. >> Yeah, see that's the thing. You can't leave your stuff by yourself. Listen, you can't leave my stuff. Even though someone's watching it, it's got to be yours. You can't just leave it there. Have someone that's watching it. >> And then I was on my way to the restroom to change my tampon. Can I change my tampon now? >> Well, there's a restroom out here. >> I'm bleeding on my pants, I want to change my tampon and then you >> There's a restroom out here. Oh, she could go to the bathroom now cuz when she when she discards the stuff I'm sorry. >> I said I'm in I'm in the city. I'm not going nowhere. >> Well, here's the concern I have. If you have any property that doesn't belong to you at this time, this is a good time to go ahead and discard it. So let's look at the video first. >> Okay, I'm about to pee and change my tampon, then we can go. You can wait right here until I >> No, you're under investigation right now. You're going to >> All right, no, and I'm bleeding. >> Yeah, we have a bathroom downstairs. >> Well, I'm bleeding. >> We have a bathroom downstairs for you. >> I have to make it home to my grandmother. >> I know we have a bathroom here. >> We have a bathroom downstairs. >> I have >> It's private and won't even be anyone >> Okay, well, go get a woman. Go get a woman cuz you can't tell me I can't pee and I'm bleeding. >> We're giving you a We're giving you a We're giving you a bathroom. We're giving you a private bathroom right now. It's a private bathroom. >> I don't trust that. Let me use the bathroom where everybody around can see me. >> Okay, so so so first things first, do you know what you Do you know why I'm Do you know why we're stopping you? >> No, I don't know, but I need to >> Have have you told her >> I need to pee and then >> I told her that we have >> You can address it. >> She's been alleged and then we have our video Okay, so can you take that out for me, whatever that was that was taken from the store? Show it to me before you go inside because I don't know what you're going to be doing in there. >> I'm going to go use the restroom. >> Like, so how can I trust you that? >> Yeah, he's been up here talking about taking me and my momma something. Momma gone, I'm trying to go pee and change my tampon. They making it a big deal. And they I like I >> She's been She's been accused of shoplifting and we have it on video. >> So, what's the >> So, So, she wants to go say she needs bathroom, but the problem is is that we can't control everything that she has. So, we're going to bring her into the private bathroom downstairs where she'll be all by herself. We won't even be in there. >> can you tell me when I can and can't pee? >> Would you like to come with us? >> He getting on the same flight as me. >> Yes. Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying. For your comfort. >> to pee and y'all not I'm about to go pee and y'all can stand right here and wait. >> Ma'am, you're under investigation detention right now. You can't do anything like that right now. You're going to go to a secure >> So, you're telling me I can't or when I get on the plane >> I'm telling you you can use I'm telling you you can use the bathroom in the secure location and it's just right downstairs. >> just sit here and tell me that I got to walk around with blood >> You're under investigative detention right now. You're not free to go. You may use the bathroom in our private area and this person who seems to you have trust may escort you, but you're going to go into a private escorted area with your own privacy. So, I am allowing you and giving you the immediate opportunity to use the bathroom. Do you understand that? >> Now, if this escalates further, I may have to put you in handcuffs. >> Exactly. >> So, would you prefer not being in handcuffs or handcuffs? >> Where is my mom at? >> Oh, she works here. I don't know where but she got me I don't got to do [ __ ] like this. They got us in this stereotypical title. >> No one's stereotyping you. And that's what I'm doing right now. >> But so, I'm going to miss my flight. >> All right. So, we're going to ask you a quick question. So, So, are you on camera grabbing items. So, where is it? >> I don't have it, sir. I'm going to tell you the truth. >> So, So, where'd you put it? >> I put it back she I handed it to her. >> Now, we watched the We watched the video. >> You can check me and everything. I don't have no glasses. And I swear to God I wouldn't even I wouldn't even risk it. >> I understand. You I understand because if you understand then you would be happy. >> I know, but I hear me out. But you didn't let me finish. So, I'm going to give you some information. We watched the video camera. We did see you take the glasses. We did see you put in your persons and we saw you walk out. We didn't see you go back in and give it back to her. So, my next question is, where is it? Where did you put it? >> handed them back to her. You can't tell >> the video. You walked out. >> You can't tell me Okay, so where is I going to >> So, so I'm asking you, where did you put it? >> I didn't put them nowhere. I gave them back to her. >> Not according to the video footage. >> Well, I gave them back to her. >> Not in the video footage. We So, so excuse me. >> I might have a look-alike or something, but I don't have no glasses. >> It says you look exactly like her. You both have the same blue shoes. Exactly. >> But you can't hold me accountable for something that I don't got. >> So, we could because on video it shows you walking out with it never coming back. You never gave it back to her. >> She said, "When you touch your glasses, give them back to me for sanitary purposes." I handed her the glasses back for her to >> You know what? This could be easily resolved. We just got to look at the video and then you can recount your side of the story and then we'll be done. >> But if you said you already seen the camera, then what is you taking me back over there for? I don't have no glasses. >> I want you to explain to me that, "Hey, no, this it looks like that, but if you notice at this frame, I passed the glasses back to the attendant." Explain it to me. Prove Show me in the video where you did all that so we can get this cleared. >> Sheriff. So, what are y'all trying to do? Take me to jail? >> I'm not trying to do anything. I'm trying to investigate this allegation and >> So, you didn't handcuff me, right now? No. >> We're still investigating. >> my fight. I don't want to go home to So, I'm just >> So, the more we keep talking, the less time we have to get you on our side. >> Y'all like >> Show Show the process. So, you're going to go set sunglasses. Show where you were, how you did it, and how you handed it back. Cuz you're telling that I can't visually picture I'm not up there. You actually said you told me that this is what you did. >> I picked some glasses up and she was like, >> So, show him upstairs. >> And she was like, "Here, if you can't get it in there." I don't I have a bad hip. >> You know this is America and you get to face your accuser. And we're going to get this thing straight. >> And I can I had my baby in my hand as well when it was in my pocket cuz I had my baby. >> Okay. >> That's what was put >> So let's go ahead and talk to her then. Come on. >> I'm going to let go ahead. >> Okay. So come on in. >> Excuse me when I picked up glasses up you may have thought that I put glasses in my pocket but I had a baby in my hand. >> Well, this all got you on camera right here. >> And I got the baby in my hand. You see me put >> thing. >> You see me put something in my pocket but it was my baby. >> The lady that was with you she took them too. >> Well, I don't know what she >> anybody else has going on. She's got it too and she concealed it under her shirt. You just put them in your bag. >> I didn't put what How can I put anything in this bag? >> You want to watch the video >> Yeah, let's go ahead and show her cuz she's saying that she can explain it. >> Show me it Show me putting it in my bag. >> She says that she gave the glasses to her friend. >> And if it don't show me putting them in the bag >> Yeah, they're hers. Because she's she's discriminating. I'm I'm about to sue the out of her cuz I know for a fact I didn't put it in my pocket. >> First and foremost you don't have to use any foul language. We're all civil here. >> phone so I can call my lawyer? >> I'm not sure. I don't know I'm not sure where your phone is. >> I'm going out. You want some extra added ass [ __ ] On some racism. And I'll never come back here. Give me Give my identity off your phone. That's another lawsuit. >> That man I didn't record >> Okay, just go ahead and bring up bring up the video. >> Give me off your phone. You don't have my authorization to have >> In the state of Illinois you need consent >> Okay. That's right. That's >> From the camera you can't record the camera. No girl you didn't record the bag. >> The longer it takes the more we argue the longer it's going to take. >> No because she pissed me off cuz she really is racist and [ __ ] >> Better do her thing so we can get you moving. >> The more you talk >> I'll look for Aldo and I'll show you the video. >> No, they said I have rights to be in here. >> and they can show it to you though whenever they find it. >> I got to get out of here. >> But if you're talking back to us, then we're not going to show you it. Okay, you got to go. Turn around, ma'am. You're under arrest for theft, for shoplifting. Turn around, ma'am, please. >> my flight? >> I don't know if I don't know when your flight is, but turn around, please. >> is at 6:40. >> Ma'am, turn around, please. Okay, I know we don't want to deal with it. No, you're under arrest now for retail theft, shoplifting. But you're moving right along. There you go. >> You found those? >> Tampering with evidence, Roger. Are those it? >> Yes, that's them. Yes, sir. >> Okay, ma'am, you've been charged with shoplifting and tampering with evidence. >> Under Georgia Code section 51-7-20, merchants hold legal authority to detain a suspected shoplifter on site for a reasonable time. Loss prevention reviewed surveillance footage showing the subject pocket sunglasses and exit without paying, then coordinated with law enforcement. Officers located her on the concourse by matching her clothing to the surveillance description. A match that, under Terry versus Ohio, 392 US 1, 1968, established probable cause before contact was made. On contact, the subject offered three contradictory accounts. She gave the glasses back. She pocketed her vape, not glasses. And she had a baby in her hand. Under Berkemer versus McCarty, 468 US 420, 1984, a Terry stop requires no Miranda advisement. Every voluntary statement is admissible. The correct move was immediate invocation of the Fifth Amendment. Silence cannot be used against a defendant. Contradictory statements can be. The subject requested restroom access citing menstrual bleeding. Officers offered a private supervised bathroom in a secured area, a legally sound compromise. Unescorted public restroom access would create an uncontrolled opportunity to destroy evidence violating the Fourth Amendment requirement that a Terry stop scope remain tied to its investigative purpose. Officers appropriately refused. The subject eventually accessed a supervised bathroom. Stolen sunglasses were recovered inside shortly after. Under Georgia Code Section 16-10-94, tampering with evidence is committed when a person, knowing an investigation is underway, conceals evidence to prevent its use in that proceeding. The subject knew she was under active investigation. The elements were met. What began as a single shoplifting charge became two counts by that one decision. Chatham County does not permit field citation for this charge. Booking was required regardless of her pending flight. >> still the same price as a live working pair? >> Okay. >> Okay. Well, can I find my family so I can let them know what's going on? >> you're here, but they'll probably see you on the way out. >> Did you want to record that, though? >> Yeah, I'll let him deal with that. >> So, I'm about to go to jail down here? That's what it is? Are y'all serious? >> It's a misdemeanor. Cuz I don't think she's going to pursue the the the felony charge. >> So, you going to give me a ticket or you taking me to >> Oh, yeah. They'll they'll rebook you easily enough. We can do that with you. >> So, are you taking me to jail or writing me a ticket? >> I'm not sure at this point. >> the other car. >> We'll find it. I'm going to let him go here and get it. So, who's your friend in the red shirt? That's grandma. >> And that's the She had the red and blue Gucci shirt she put under her shirt and then she'll put it in her bag. >> You see her where it goes under the shirt and into the bag? >> Yeah, I showed him the It's all broken in the two videos just because it paused on me cuz I had to restart it. So, that's what she put in the bag. >> I see. >> So, am I going to jail or can I get a ticket >> I'm sorry. >> and pay it? Like, what what can I do? >> not in Chatham County. It's It's not a ticket. So, you You are going to get booked. I hate to say it and I'm going to be blunt as possible. Sometimes actions got consequences. And this happened to one of them. >> But >> But unfortunately, hey, listen. >> And Oklahoma, if it's under $1,000, they write you a ticket. >> So, this is not Oklahoma. This is Chatham County, Georgia. Georgia's different. >> Can my brother pay some money right now before for me to not get booked in? Can he pay it? >> Yeah, he can probably pay for it. >> Can Can my brother pay right now where I won't have to go to jail? >> now. >> What do you want to do with uh grandma? Try to locate and uh >> Yeah. >> recover the property property? >> Yep. >> Okay, so um would you like to give this to your brother? >> Yeah. >> I mean >> Like, I can't I can't believe that y'all trying to put me in jail. Like, why would I lie? Why would I not be I ain't got my phone or nothing. I mean, I'm mad waiting home. Like, why why I can't get a ticket? >> No. It don't work that way here for that charge. >> Did you get that? Get that? >> So, the other person could get away free and y'all blaming me. >> What other person is out there? >> She said that I was in there with somebody. >> Oh, yeah, we don't have her. But but the flight hadn't left yet. >> is probably She's right. >> What's that? Yeah. >> Who was she with? Who was she >> I don't know her, but she said that it was two of us in there on the camera at the same time. So, why she blaming me if she shot >> So, we found you first. But, we're going to look for her now. >> I don't want to see my face. >> Well, they won't let you take it in jail. >> Okay, I'm being accused of getting hit. >> So, So, I said that's something that you're trying to get hit. I got one. I don't know where the other one is. She's kind of like She went totally gone once we started tracking her. But, uh she's got a flight to catch, so she's probably up there. >> Is she stealing anything? >> What's that? Yep, we caught him. Uh when she went in the bathroom, she just started to dispose of the glasses. Poof, gone it. It shows our glasses um with uh recorders. Uh over 300. >> Over 300? >> Yeah. And the uh And the other is a misdemeanor. I know. Uh what do you What do you What options do we have? Set a bond for her. It's like it's pretty low anyways. Yeah. And she does She does want to prosecute, so We'll try to find her. She's She's got a red jacket shirt on. Yeah. So, I can't I can't see her on the >> The prevention officer receives a B+. The detention was lawful. Evidence was secured. And the bathroom disposal risk was correctly anticipated. Deduction for prematurely citing a felony threshold before the aggregate value of both thefts was independently confirmed. The responding officer receives an A-. De-escalation was sustained throughout a prolonged and volatile encounter. The supervised bathroom compromise satisfied both the detainee's medical need and the investigative purpose. Deductions for imprecise terminology and failing to clearly address the attorney access request after arrest. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel activates at arrest. The primary subject receives a C. Three decisions determined this outcome. Voluntary contradictory statements gave the prosecution admissible evidence she did not have to provide. Discarding the sunglasses during active detention added a second charge that would not have existed had she remained silent. And she exercised neither the Fifth Amendment nor the Sixth Amendment, the two protections most available to her. Lesson one surveillance footage establishes probable cause denying the stop will not invalidate it. Lesson two. The Fifth Amendment is your strongest protection during investigative detention. Invoke it early. Every voluntary statement carries legal risk. Lesson three. Discarding stolen property during an active investigation is a separate crime under Georgia Code Section 16-10-94. It compounds charges. It never resolves them. Lesson four. Officers must balance a detainee's medical needs against investigative necessity. A supervised alternative satisfies both legal obligations. Lesson five. In Georgia, misdemeanor shoplifting results in booking. Local procedure governs not what applies in another state. Lesson six. The Sixth Amendment right to counsel activates at arrest. Post-arrest questioning without counsel access may suppress subsequent statements. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like us to discuss in the comments below. We read all of them. If there is a body cam interaction or legal question you want covered, let us know.