On November 2nd, 2021, officers in Roswell, Georgia responded after a woman left Walmart with two carts of unpaid merchandise. One single dollar figure ends up deciding whether prosecutors treat this as a misdemeanor or push it all the way to a felony charge. >> Are you all right now? >> I sure hope so. I think so. It's hard. I can't really think. Yeah. She's in a lot. Thank you. We trying to stop her. She had so much stuff to steal. >> Okay. You think it's felony or misdemeanor? >> Okay. What's wrong with your face? >> So far >> Okay. >> So far this and what's beside is all that's been paid for. >> Okay. So she's paid for this, you said. Okay. So this is receipt. >> receipt. It's for t-shirts and stuff. Then I'm figuring out what's what's on this receipt, right? >> Okay. So this is where >> This is for the t-shirts right here and then I got the sunglasses right here on this one. >> Okay. So it's t-shirts and that, but this hasn't been paid for or no? Okay. All right. Hello, ma'am. How are you? Um just want to find out, you know, what's going on. Why Why am I here today? >> I don't know. Honestly, like I'm watching them pull things out that I did not that I took out, sat on the counter. And left. And that was like in a cart and this is like third, fourth time that I've had issues with them, but by the end of it they were like, "Oh, my bad." And so >> Okay. Well, first off, what's your name? >> Tiffany. >> Tiffany. I'm I'm Officer Fields. I'm with Roswell Police Department. This is Officer Curry, okay? Um okay. So explain to me what's going on. So you came to Walmart. What were What are here? What did you come for? >> Winter clothing for my brother, his friend, and my boyfriend. >> Okay, so you came for some winter clothing. Notice there's a lot of shades in there. Um >> They're a dollar fifty. They're all on this thing. >> Okay. And then um so talk to me about the shelving cuz that was not on the receipt. So >> I have the receipt on my phone and then I'm telling you there's seven things of shelving. Hang on. >> Okay. Like >> So why did they think you stole it? >> Yeah. >> I don't know. They have something better against me or something. >> Okay. >> Like genuinely I >> Well what makes >> They have real people out here that genuinely walk in here and take >> So what did they Why are they telling us you stole this stuff today? >> Mhm. I guess that's what they feel. >> Okay. >> But I didn't even have the doors so it's like >> Did you get They stopped you right here? >> Yeah, on the other side. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I was only here so long because like my car had a flat. >> Your car had >> They made it into my roadside bag here for me that I myself >> Do you Do you have your receipt for all So you have a receipt for everything here? >> Yeah. In my opinion I'm pretty sure I thought I did. Okay. One shelf. This has six right here. Six and >> Okay. This says add to cart. Do you have where you paid for it? >> This is where I paid for it. Receipt right here. This is the receipt you can see the images to see that I'm not lying. Okay. So sunglasses. >> Is that the receipt they have right here? >> Yeah, they asked to see your receipts for it. >> All right. >> Um platform cart. >> Where's the shelving at? Cuz they're going through each and every item. >> Yeah, shelf storage at >> I'm sorry about that. >> at 1414 shelf storage >> private >> six at one >> Yeah, and then they're going to blow it. >> Okay. >> the light when it was my parents or whatever. >> Let's skip down. >> This is like the third, fourth time we've caught her doing this. Today we just happened to actually stop What? First time she tried to walk out it was over $700 worth of stuff that they prevented her and she walked out through the side just a minute and everything. >> Okay. >> Then another time was like a week ago where I stopped her in front of the door cuz she was stealing stuff on the bottom of the cart and that was three weeks ago. >> Okay. >> I want to understand if I was if there's video and I look at video, am I going to see you taking anything? >> No, I wasn't. >> Or doing anything wrong? >> I was in the car and I I go about my business and I take things out. And there's two >> I don't know what it looks like. >> The last two times? >> No, it's >> If they did this, I was like they were missing paper and went inside and inspected >> It's just a digital copy of that. >> No issues. >> Okay. Um >> That is not the case. >> Okay. Okay. It's okay. So, um have has there been any reports filed on this before for you? >> There's been no >> Can I see your phone, ma'am, with the receipt? >> Sure, of course. >> They are duplicates of what they have. >> Okay. >> Because, you know, she all have the same thing. >> Okay. >> When you use Walmart Pay >> So, you're saying that this is a duplicate of this? Cuz the times are different. >> that I have. >> The times are different on here. >> He has two different receipts. >> Um >> He said the receipt says I have seven shelves. >> Okay, fine. >> Um so, how long roughly have you been at Walmart today? 12 minutes. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, >> Okay. >> I know 90% of what was there. >> Okay. We're we're going to compare it. We're going to try and figure this out. >> it and we'll see if we can figure it out. We'll go from there, okay? >> Mhm. Um >> Have you been stopped like before for this, dude? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I mean, they said last time you were here you dropped all the stuff and went out the other door to get away from them. >> That didn't happen. I think maybe you're confusing me with someone else, but I promise you that did not happen. >> Okay. I wasn't here. I don't know. I'm just asking you. >> a vape. My phone died and I lost it in your seat, right? >> Mhm. >> So, I'm like, "All right, let me go charge my phone. I'll be right back." I come back. They took it. They won't give it to me. They won't give me a return. So, they're stealing from me at that point. >> Okay. >> You know? >> What's my corporate about that? >> It's MC2, kind of a loss prevention. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> And then >> So, why do you keep coming back here if they're saying that they're stealing from you? >> Practically, I live around the corner and this is the cheapest place >> Got you. >> to get stuff and I take care of my grandma, so >> I understand. Okay. And so, are are they going to go through all of this stuff? Are Are they going to find anything? Cuz it'll save you some time and me some time. >> They're not going to find anything that I intentionally would have taken. I The girl scanned all that stuff and did a a suspended transaction and >> I mean, is there anything in that stuff that's going to not show up on the receipts that you provided? >> No. >> You don't seem too very confident when you say that. >> Okay, so I know y'all don't know, but like scanning go, right? You scan it. You go have a people check it, go about your business, takes it off your card, right? >> Mhm. >> Once you have an issue or whatever, you transfer it to the register. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Sometimes it doesn't all transfer through correctly. >> Okay. So, you're >> Sometimes it does and it's not something that I've been like actually like have like stolen But, then they found >> Mhm. >> So, like >> It seems like you don't know if they're going to find something or not. >> I should not, but like I'm saying is that scanning go, this is like something that I have >> have The machine might give it or might have an issue. >> did something. It didn't have everything on there. >> Okay. >> So, I went around and paid for it because it was intentional to be paid for, you know? I had scanned it on the phone. He said in the He was like, "Oh, yeah. I watched you scan." And was like, "Okay, great." >> Was it like you're at the self-serve line? >> No, you do it all on like your phone. >> Okay, I don't know. I don't I don't really >> Is it like an app, like the Walmart app or something? >> All right, show me. >> It's your thumb finger or whatever, and you go uh see >> Okay, so there's your view. >> He's got it in his hand. I'm looking at it, yeah. >> Okay. Okay, so we have all the images, so can you >> So scan and go, you're going to go like >> If I was a cuz you've got pictures on there of everything that you've purchased, yeah? If I was to take that and compare it to the items out there, am I going to see the same items that are listed on your phone? >> Yeah, I should I should have seen so, yes. >> You should have seen Okay. >> For one >> I mean, I know things can happen. Let's not worry about them. We're trying to get to the bottom, okay? I'm trying to understand what you Yeah, I'm uh-huh. >> Okay, so you can see there's four of these, four of these uh three three >> Uh-huh. >> Those are the jeans she just pulled out. >> Okay, can I see what cuz you had a bunch of shades Did you Did you put the shades in here? Let me see all the shades. Okay. All right. All right, so you see All right, so how come, for example So here you see this is $3, and there's no add to cart. Why does this still say add to cart? I'm just trying to understand cuz I don't use the app, so I'm just trying to get you to explain this to me. >> It's in case you want to buy it again, maybe? >> Okay. Is there any history on here? Okay, so Okay, and what's today the date for today? Okay, 11:02, okay, and this is at 1:14. >> Right. >> So, you needed one of each. What is the market price? >> Is it right here? >> No, neither of those. >> Oh, okay. >> 14.97 >> So, she got six, but she only got two. She probably scanned them the short ones for all of these together. >> Yes. >> It's called ticket switching. We scan the cheaper item, so >> That came up to be >> So, she scanned that six times instead of scanning all of these individually. >> That's 14.97. >> That's uh >> And then >> These are 541.56. >> That's this one right here. >> Oh, so you so you guys are just verifying to see what she has paid for, what she has not, and then we'll get the training receipt. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now, was everything ring up correctly, getting double ring something for something else, that kind of thing? Like getting take the small shells that has a cheaper price and use that for the big shells for the higher price. >> I think all the shells are supposed to be the same. >> You think they are, or do you know? >> They look like the four >> Well, you have the app there. What does it say there? >> Well, I didn't know that. >> I'm just saying for instance. >> Um no, they were all supposed to be four-tiered plastic shells. Yeah, so >> Okay. >> And so, they should have all been the same. >> I think so. It's looking like the two little shelving units that you get right there >> Mhm. >> on the receipt you're saying she bought six of them for about 90 bucks in total. But, in reality, she only got two of them. >> I mean, use those for the price of the big >> And and and then she got the bigger ones. >> for the price of them. >> Um well, yeah. Well, well, she scanned these. >> The price goes down. >> So, these are like 15 bucks a pop, and those are like 40 bucks. So, they're they're in the ballpark of six-ish, 700. Um >> So, does it all go in there? >> So, that's what that's what they're they're applying. So, I think they went through, they found all this stuff that she hadn't paid for, they verified on her receipts, and now they're going to go and scan all this stuff on the training receipt to get an itemized list and price of everything before and after the tax. And that way we're going to know our amount. So all of these are for sure and which she had not paid for or she was trying to okay. >> Can you show me the pending three? >> It depends on so >> So I was putting it again. >> It with with with Georgia code section misdemeanor and some of it depends on dollar amount. >> You can choose on the crime. >> So shoplifting is anything from 500 in total and up is felony but if it's just like >> Yeah, on a hundred dollar whatever it >> Yeah, if it's like a hundred bucks or if it's just junk it's just and it's a lot easier for us and for the court system. >> It's >> It's this. You didn't get this. >> And it's going to it's going to be a more hassle >> How far is me? >> to do all this stuff. >> Yeah. >> So you're not going to get going to jail. Um I guess this You just You're you're more you're I don't know. I don't know. I don't want to say anything. You're going to save yourself a lot more headache as far as going coming here dealing with us. >> Yeah, that's right. >> You don't want to talk to us. And we we understand that especially if you're out here >> Yeah. >> you know >> Yeah. Yeah. >> potentially committing crimes. >> So you don't want to talk to us. >> And all the stress and the headache and anything like that and going to court. >> I wouldn't talk to y'all cuz I don't cook tomorrow night. >> Yeah. >> Last night we had a baby and had a daughter to do it. Oh, I was hot. >> Were we here last night? >> Yes. No, you didn't come. We cooked you up. >> Oh, okay. >> [laughter] >> We all forgot to give you that. >> Do you remember us? What are those? >> Stick it on the back of your phone. >> Business card holders for what? >> I did. >> And what kind of business you doing? >> I'm just tired of looking at them. They can use the bathroom to pee or pee or pee. >> Oh my god. Okay, I'm about to go to the bathroom. >> Oh. >> I need to be going. Um, put this inside the pocket right here for me. 991 >> Yeah. Ma'am, what? >> How much was it? >> 991.32 >> I need two receipts. >> That's before taxes, right? >> No, that's after taxes. >> After taxes, okay. >> The before taxes was 920.02. >> I told you that. >> 920.02? >> Yes. Okay, so we need to go play the number, okay? Give me your dollar cuz it only costs a dollar to play. >> I don't have any money, you crazy. >> Okay, so if I win, you won't you going to want your dollar. >> I'll I'll split it with I'll split it with you. >> So I get 50 and you get 50. >> Yeah. >> So they were sold about 38 E or something. >> So 38 E and then financial fraud on 850 with Safeway. >> But she's not wanted? >> No. >> That's the main thing we're going to check to see if she has any warrants. 920.02 >> And that's the stuff she didn't pay for? >> That's the stuff she did not pay for. That's the stuff they just did right there, so I I watched them. They do everything, they're getting training receipt. >> Okay. >> It was 920 before tax. >> Do you want me to just confirm again on the if there's >> No, she said negative, so we're fine. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's a felony amount. She got a couple of those. >> Okay. >> So we got to go get warrants. Um, and we'll send it off. >> Okay. >> All right, ma'am. >> Yeah, I'd like to know about that. >> About what? >> The financial fraud situation that >> Well, we don't know. We're just saying that we're checking. Your name came up for something like that. I don't have all of the details. Okay, it's showing $920 that was not paid for. >> There's no way like >> That's what we're showing right now. The officer was there they were in the store. The same receipt. >> The same receipt. >> And this is all the stuff that was not paid for. >> Yes. >> This is what Michelle was not paying for. >> Hey man. >> All right, how I mean so how can I if you paid for it they bought see they all that stuff you went through they had your receipts your two receipts right you only have two right? >> Right. >> They went through all that stuff and took out what you paid for. >> Okay. >> And then this is what was left over so how can I explain this? >> Prior to this when I was walking out the door I was in a line with an employee and she scanned the stuff in. >> So you're saying she scanned all this? >> Yeah. So then as I'm going to pay for it something on their end nothing to do with me >> Yep. >> happened it suspended it. >> Yep. >> So we redo it again and she's like okay it's time for me to go and tosses me over there and >> When they suspended it why did you instead of leaving it why did you leave it or why did you take it with you? >> I was intending to get it. My total was not that much. It was certainly not that much. It doesn't make sense. Not even on like some crybaby doesn't take accountability. I'll take accountability for things I've done but like not for things I haven't done. >> All right, well here's what's going to happen okay? You have to come with us. >> Why? >> Because they're pressing charges against you. Okay, they're placing you under arrest is that correct? >> Yes, sir. >> They're placing you under arrest for shoplifting. If you're claiming you paid for all of this you'll have your receipts you'll go to court and you you'll you'll you'll discover it in court okay? You'll be there in court with you along with us. Okay? And unless you can prove that you paid this show bank accounts show your you know something but they're claiming that after all the stuff they went through and the receipts that they have no copy of which you claim that they have this is what's left over. >> I don't know what I don't have that suspend receipt I don't have any of that so like >> Well who's the employee that helped you what was her name or his name? >> I don't know if left at 2:00. 2:00 is the time. >> Yeah. >> So if we were >> know. Okay, how do you know that? >> Because that's why she tossed me on to someone else. That's what I'm saying. >> So she said I'm getting off at 2:00, go somewhere else? >> Basically, yeah. That's what I'm saying. Like it's not an isolated event. It's like purposefully being done. >> Mhm. >> I don't know what to >> Absolutely. You want to stand up for us? >> Is there like seriously like no like other option here? >> No, ma'am. It's a felony amount. If it was a misdemeanor amount, I'd probably cut you a ticket, but I can't. >> What is a Like what is a felony? >> Anything over $500 in the state. Okay. Okay. >> What are we doing with this stuff here? >> Uh that's stuff >> Do you have anything on you? >> Um >> Illegal? >> I don't know. >> Contraband? Ma'am, do you have anybody who can pick up the stuff that you didn't pay for? >> No, my mom can. >> okay. Then we'll just refund it to you. >> All right. >> Being a stand-up for me, man. >> It's like two something hours. >> Okay. Okay. >> All right. So Tiffany, um Walmart is wanting a criminal trespass warning, okay? >> Tiffany, all this is saying that you can't come back here, okay? You can go to a Walmart in Canton, Woodstock, wherever it is. You can't come back to this specific >> Walmart. >> Okay. Normally, we would have you sign it. Obviously, you're uncuffed. We're not going to go through the trouble again to uncuff you so you can sign it. We're just letting you know you nodded your head, you acknowledge it. So that way you'll have your copy, the store will have theirs, and then we'll have a one for our records, okay? >> You acknowledge this criminal criminal trespass warning? >> Yeah. >> Can you nod your head? Thank you. Okay. So >> So that's it. So all it is is So the white copy that goes to radio. >> Okay. >> Curry will tell you where to put that. >> Okay. >> The yellow copy is business copy. I'll go to give it to them. That way they have their paper copy, their record. And the pink copy is hers. >> Okay. >> Most people ball it up and throw it away cuz they don't want it. Uh but I would since you are guys since you guys are already taking her to jail, you can just put it in there with the rest of her phone and other stuff like that because I mean it's it it doesn't it doesn't mean anything to them really. >> Okay. Show it to her and we can get on camera and >> Got your cash? I'm going to still give you your free little wallet thing. >> Okay. You want to watch us put it in? >> We have your refunded everything back to the other cards and stuff as well. >> Yeah, and you got some other cash in here ready from earlier. All right. So, your money's in there and your card, okay? >> We'll give our stuff to you. All right. >> Georgia law draws that line at exactly $500, the number that separates a minor charge from real prison time. Before police even arrived, store employees held her under the shopkeeper's privilege, Georgia Code section 51-7-60. That statute lets a merchant detain a suspected shoplifter for a reasonable time as long as there's genuine reasonable suspicion involved. The real legal question is whether the total crossed $500 because that number alone triggers Georgia Code section 16-8-14. Probable cause doesn't require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, just enough facts for a reasonable officer to believe a crime happened. Courts call that standard the totality of the circumstances test, and it's the same framework laid out decades ago in Illinois versus Gates. That's exactly why the item-by-item receipt check matters. It turns a store's accusation into evidence an officer can defend. Officers never obtained a warrant before the arrest, and under Georgia law, they simply didn't need one at that point. Georgia Code section 17-4-20 lets an officer arrest without a warrant whenever there's probable cause for a felony. Nearly 20 minutes of questioning happened before anyone read her a single right, and legally speaking, that alone isn't a violation. Miranda only kicks in when someone is actually in custody, and for most of this stop, she was free to leave. Georgia doesn't require an officer to arrest the second a store makes an accusation against the person standing right there. Giving her the chance to explain every single item first is exactly what due process looks like on the street. A defense attorney will still challenge that training receipt since store generated totals aren't automatically treated as bulletproof courtroom evidence. Any gap between what the register software calculated and what the merchandise actually cost still becomes a real fight at trial. On the legal side, the officers earn a solid B plus for how carefully and patiently they built this case. Independent verification and a decision anchored to an actual number is what solid probable cause looks like in real practice. The subject earns a C plus because calm cooperation still doesn't erase $920 in unexplained merchandise value. Here's the real takeaway if you're ever sitting in that chair, answering questions is completely voluntary once you're not under arrest. Every explanation you offer becomes part of the official record and prosecutors can absolutely use it against you later on. For retailers and officers, the lesson cuts the other direction entirely. Always build the paper trail before making any accusation. A felony charge without a hard, independently verified dollar number behind it rarely survives serious scrutiny inside a real courtroom. Let us know what legal topic or case you would like us to break down next time in the comments below. Thanks so much for watching and don't forget to subscribe for even more body cam breakdowns and detailed courtroom legal analysis.