Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

I stole potpourri (the kind "not for human consumption")from a gas station on numerous occasions. The last time I went in to purchase some and the owners pulled me into a back room against my will. A friend of theirs showed up in police uniform who then proceeded to threaten me, take my money, and demand that I come in and pay them $300.00 or face legal action. The officer who showed up was a Wintersville, OH police officer, the town that I live in, but the gas station in question is located in Steubenville, OH, a couple miles away.

Now, only a few days later, the store owner is calling me and demanding me to come make a payment, or else. I am being extorted and am worried that they are going to show up any day. Should I try to just pay them and forget it or can they really even do anything to me legally? The next time he calls should I just tell him to go ef himself? Pleas, some advice would be greatly appreciated!


Asked on 6/03/12, 3:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Sauter Cloppert, Latanick, Sauter & Washburn

The store owner can do two things (legally): first, he or she can can file a theft complaint with your local prosecutor's office. Your local law enforcement will investigate and the prosecutor's office will decide whether to press charges. This decision is often based on whether or not sufficient evidence exists such that the prosecutor can get a conviction. Second, the store owner can press civil charges against you in your local court. This is unlikely, as civil litigation (especially for a small item such as fake weed or whatever you stole) is expensive and time consuming.

Because the owner doesn't have good options here, it appears he or she is threatening you, trying to extort some quick and easy money. If I were you, I'd steer clear of the store in the future and hopefully the store owner will forget about it over time.

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Answered on 6/04/12, 7:26 am


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