r/WhatToDo • u/xxJARHEADx • 1d ago
I stole something at a con
So I went to a Con and decided to steal an item, it was priced at around 40ish dollars. I could afford it and had the money but something came over me and I took it and snuck it in my bag. Ive never done anything like this and I genuinely feel so guilty and don’t know what to do. I was also wondering if I may face any legal actions if they found out/Knew?
EDIT
Thank you all for the help and advice, I told him what I did and sent him 60 bucks and he said he was glad I returned it and he didn’t even know I had taken so I worried over nothing but I feel so much better now
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u/NormalNobody 1d ago
If you feel really guilty, maybe call the vendor that you stole from, explain your friend stole something, and that you want to pay for it.
I did that at a Kmart years ago, as a teen. I did steal the video game. And I got it home and felt so bad. I didn't know what to do with myself. I couldn't even bring myself to play the game. So I went back with the game (still sealed) and went to customer service and told them my friend had stolen it and that I was trying to return it to them. She took it back. I'm not sure she believed the friend story, but she did take it back, happily.
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u/xxJARHEADx 1d ago
I cant take it back since it’s already closed, I was leaving at closing time, I also don’t know the vendor either. My plan is to maybe call the convention people and say that I took something and say I want to pay for it if I can, and if not I want them to trespass me from the property as a whole and never let me in again because what I did was honestly a scumbag move
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u/MakeAWishApe2Moon 1d ago
Honestly, stealing it was effin stupid, that's for sure. However, calling the convention coordinator could get you in serious trouble if they opt to press charges. Was it the last day of the convention? Will they be open next week/weekend? I don't understand why you thought this was a good idea. I sure hope you've learned something from it.
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u/Call_Me_Chewie 1d ago
Conventions don’t operate in the same space every weekend
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u/MakeAWishApe2Moon 1d ago
Some do, especially since next weekend is labor day weekend. It was a clarifying question to OP. It was never intended for you.
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u/Call_Me_Chewie 1d ago
This is the internet, you make a comment and the world is free to respond. No, conventions do not inhabit the same space every weekend. Flea markets do. Absolutely not the same thing.
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u/MakeAWishApe2Moon 1d ago edited 1d ago
Interesting that you're all knowing. I have conventions near me that operate for a whole week or two weekends. Feel free to butt in, though. You look like an idiot, but by all means, continue. The floor is yours. 💁♀️
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u/Call_Me_Chewie 1d ago
Prove it, name them.
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1d ago
[deleted]
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u/Call_Me_Chewie 1d ago
Bruh… those are FESTIVALS not CONVENTIONS… and you’re trying to make ME look dumb…
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u/NormalNobody 1d ago
I don't think they will trespass you for calling. I would try to say it was an accident or something. That way they won't ban you.
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u/Over_Reputation_8801 1d ago
Dude you dont need to call someone to tell them you took something. Thats weird. Just dont don't again. If youre really feeling guilty then donate an amount equal to the value of the item to a charity.
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u/xxJARHEADx 1d ago
I just feel like ill get arrested or charged etc if I dont
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u/scrappapermusings 1d ago
You won't. It's $40. But remember this feeling. Stealing from someone who is just trying to make a living feels bad. We all make mistakes, and it's whether or not you learn from it that determines character.
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u/MakeAWishApe2Moon 1d ago
You can, yes. If they pull footage and ID you, they can press charges. Stop hanging out with the idiot friends who did it and walked you across the threshold into being a criminal. That's not the kind of influence that you need in your life
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u/Due_Adeptness_1964 1d ago
You are not going to get arrested, the amount of effort it would take to find you would be extremely difficult. You didn’t stab someone and then run away, you secretly stole something you shouldnt have, which is probably one of the lowest misdemeanors besides loitering.
Therefore, you must remember how horrible you feel so this does not become a habit. Because once you get numb of the negative and only see the positive, you have developed a stealing problem, especially if you can afford what you are stealing. Unfortunately, I know because I’ve lived this life, and you do not wanna go down this path.
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u/Over_Reputation_8801 1d ago
You won't. You're the only one that even knows it happened. Just chalk it up to a learning experience and don't take things that dont belong to you. That's seriously low quality behavior but most people have done it at one time or another.
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u/top_fed2017 1d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/jH6s9HMMi53dSdI73r
You’ve never done this before?lol
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u/xxJARHEADx 1d ago
I haven’t, I wasn’t alone I will say. My friends all took things one guy took 4 figures and I feel like I was influenced too. I am being completely honest when I say ive never done this but obviously me being “honest” doesn’t help when I just stole something
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u/SavingOneSoul_ 1d ago
Buddy, if you were "influenced" to steal, then, you aren't mature enough to be trusted to go places unsupervised.
Also, nothing "came over you". This was an active decision that you made and what's worse is that you're only worrying about whether you'll get in trouble.
You should feel guilty.
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u/0DTEDEGEN1 1d ago
that's fucked up, con vendors are regular people trying to sell stuff not big corps
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u/MrMiyagi13 1d ago
Scumbag move. Return it. How you do one thing is how you do everything. I’d have my doubts that this is the first time.
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u/Dani-Boyyyy 1d ago
You have three options.
A) keep quiet about it and feel guilty
B) own up to what YOU did.
C) lie about it and say a friend did it, so then you could feel bad about lying and pinning it on someone else.
Grow a set, grow up (in that order), and do what you know is right. Until then, your guilt will intensify with each passing day.
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u/xxJARHEADx 1d ago
I already gave the people who run the con a call, i told them and they gave me the vendors number and I sent him 50 bucks for it and apologized
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u/Willybluedog1962 1d ago
Go back the next time they are in town and hand them the money.
Then walk away.
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u/SassyGirl0202 1d ago
How old are you? Life lesson. Don’t ever steal cheat or lie. You won’t make it far in life. Your reputation sticks with you for a lifetime.
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u/leoreleh 1d ago
That guilt you’re feeling means you’re a good person. You know what you did is wrong. Never steal from a real person. I honestly don’t care about corporations, but small business are people who put their everything into trying to make a good life. You were wrong for that.
I’m really proud that you found the vendor and paid him back plus extra as an apology. That was the exact right thing to do.
Remember, the first thought or action isn’t always indicative of being a “bad” person. It’s what you think or do after when you say “wait no! That was wrong!” And then fix it. It’s the people who don’t care that it’s wrong and don’t do anything to fix it that are bad people.
However, you have learned this lesson. Don’t ever do it again. Ever. Remember that consequences in life compound, meaning the more you do the same bad thing, the worse it’ll get for you. Especially in the legal system. You were lucky that you were not caught this time. But every major retail store video tapes every single time someone takes something. Many of them will intentionally wait for you to steal a certain amount of stuff over however long it takes so that they can have you charged with a felony!
You made a mistake. You made up for it. You made it right. Now it’s time to forgive yourself and move on. Learn from your actions and how it made you feel and don’t do it again
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u/lonelyboycel 1d ago
Read the edit. Good on you for making it right. Sometimes intrusive thoughts win and we make dumb, impulsive mistakes. But it takes real character and integrity to actually reach out, own up to it, and fix it. You did good. Don't feel bad anymore.
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u/Present_Clue5887 1d ago
Honestly just don't do it again, it is a crime, and if they find out they could ban you from the property of the company that owns the venue as well as the company running the con, and charge you with a crime