Accidental shoplifting in Texas?
Gary Churak’s Answer
If it’s accidental, it’s not a crime. That is not shoplifting. However, the manager or police department can view it in a different manner. As an example, somebody goes into a, say an Academy and buy a pair of tennis shoes or a pair of shoes, and then want to try them on. People sometimes what they’ll do is they’ll put the shoes on, and they’ll walk around the store with the shoes and leave the box there with their own shoes in it, come back at a later time, pick up the shoes, and leave the store, and pay for the new shoes. What happens if you mix the boxes up or grabbed an empty box, and it’s not the box with your shoes on? You’re walking out the store with a pair of shoes that you’re not paying for, but you’re intentionally not stealing.