Isn’t this almost illegal?

Question

So me and my bf went to kohl’s knowing what I wanted. Earrings online and they were holding it for me. We went in and waited in line by jewelry and purchased the 225$ earrings, and the lady was telling us about refunds and etc. As I was walking out the alarm thing went off so I stopped confused because about 3 other people were walking out but this random guy (no badge, no proof of anything) comes up
to me yelling accusing me that I have something was going to call the cops. I got upset and literally said I was going to get completely naked right there because we were in the store for maybe 6-7 minutes and walked out with a bag and receipt. He threatened he’ll call the cops and prosecute me and I told him I was going to call the cops myself as my dad is a police officer and so is my grandfather and half my family. Then the alarm randomly went off again as we were away from it. So my boyfriend was like really pissed and frustrated and even pointed to him it’s randomly going off and obviously something wrong with it and he blamed me. He then told us we can go after hassling and harassing me... I called the manager and she felt really bad and told me the store manager will call me tomorrow and my family said I should’ve called the cops because I was being accused of something I didn’t do and being threatened and yelled at in front of everyone.. What would you of done?
And just to add for people saying i’m overreacting. He randomly picked me out of everyone leaving and sat there accusing me for 20 minutes making a big scene in front of everyone!

Answer

Ok, first,  you posted this anonymously so it will be taken down eventually. Second, why on earth would you tell him you were going to get naked? That didn't make sense to me. As far as being approached, when I worked retail, I was told it was illegal to approach anyone unless you saw them steal something, whether it was in person or on security cameras. You weren't allowed to search anyone's shopping bags or purses. I've never actually looked up the law on it though. I personally, would have just walked out of there. If they were going to call the cops, they would have.

Answer

Him stopping you and questioning you is fine, alarms usually go off for a reason (I get it that this time they seem to have malfunctioned) in the U.K. anyone can stop anyone and ask them about things like that, what you can't do is physically detain someone without seeing them steal. You can also request that they show you what's in their bags and pockets but have no right to actually search them if they chose not to let you see. That is what the police would be for.
You seem to have overreacted by saying you'd get naked and why the hell would you even consider calling the police and wasting police time just because security stopped you? If they physically restrained or assaulted you then fine but you don't call the police on someone just because they accused you of something first, coming from a police family you should know that.

Answer

It’s not illegal but for the future you don’t have to let them look at your things and you can leave. If they think you’ve actually stolen something they can call the police and they’ll handle it.

Answer

In the US it actually is illegal. You can prosecute. 
I had something similar in WalMart when I was a teen. The guy would follow me specifically around the store and be inappropriate. One day he pulled me and a few friends in his office as we were walking around the store killing time. He accused me of things and brought up some legal issues I was going through, legal issues that were not public knowledge. I immediately called corporate, spoke to a manager, and I got the mfr fired. 
Take it as far as you can. It was one of their secret shoppers. They absolutely CAN NOT accuse you unless they know where the merchandise is and saw it being pocketed.

Answer

Get him fired... That was HARRASMENT

Answer

This is why it is important to know your rights. Other then stopping you are offering to check your bag to make sure the sensor was removed, unless they saw you take something they have no right to hold you. You could have left and he wouldn’t have been able to do a thing. If he tried to physically detain you he could have assault charges brought against him.

Answer

I’m assuming you’re in the US? Keep walking whenever the alarms go off, dude. You’re right there at the exit. Just keep fucking moving. This shit happens to me all the time at VS, Forever 21, Kohl’s, etc. alarms here screw up all the fucking time to the point where the employees don’t even look over anymore, they just turn it off entirely. Kohl’s is known to be a hardass about shoplifting and they will attempt to prosecute, but what they cannot do is prevent you from getting away if you are fast enough. Soon as that alarm sounds you need to keep fucking moving and act innocent like you are and act like you know the alarm is just screwing around. It’s when you stop that they have an open opportunity to apprehend you and start allowing you to incriminate yourself. Is it illegal for them to stop you? No. That’s why you need to keep fucking moving. 
Also, they are just using a scare tactic on you. They aren’t going to do shit as they know they don’t have proof. Kohl’s is just hardass about their policy so they feed everyone the same line about “come back and you’ll be prosecuted”. If you didn’t steal shit, you’re fine. If you did, don’t go back. And next time keep walking, especially if there are people also walking out. Make THEM figure out which one of you 4 stole the suspected trigger item. Don’t do it for them by stopping and offering to let them search you.

Answer

He was harassing you but to stand there for 20 mins and claim you’ll get naked is just absurd. Unless he has proof he saw you take something, go on about your day.

Answer

He thought you were stealing but he can’t physically hold you there since he’s not actually a cop. That would be kidnapping or whatever the official charge is called. You did the right thing by speaking to the manager since you had a bag and receipt. There’s not much else you can do.

Isn’t this almost illegal?

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