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Wrongly Fingered For Accessory To Crime

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So I go to the hardware store (locally owned with only two stores) to buy electrical parts. I go here almost every day due to being a facilities maintenance person. While I am there, the guys are rolling up some copper wire for me and seem kind of tense. Won't talk, side eyeing me, etc. (this kind of change of attitude had been happening with people aggressively 'helping' me, asking a bunch of interrogatory questions, etc making me feel like a shoplifter)

While we are standing there, woman comes up and says that my car was involved in a crime at the store, and would I take a minute to look at something to help out. She shows me an image of a guy who I did not recognize, and told me he came in my car (according to their LPR camera system) and stole a bunch of stuff then left in my car. Did I know who this was, did I lend my car to him, etc. And that my car info has been shared with the police, and is on their list.

I told her that no I did not recognize the person, did not lend it out, nor did I think anyone had access to my car. She says that it def. was my car. I ask her if I can get that image, or any others to share around with people that might know something. No dice. Can't do that. I ask what day it was, she says she can't tell me that either, but that it occurred in December. Ok.

So the next day I'm there, and I see her again. I told her that it was exceedingly unlikely that my car would be stolen, used in a petty crime, then returned thru a locked gate with the key being placed back on my dresser, and would she please take my car off her list because I don't want to be treated like a criminal each time their cameras alert on my car. She says no, they are absolutely sure it was my car, and are going to check me out each time I come in to make sure I'm me and not the other guy. I told her this is bullshit and wanted to talk with her LPO, of which I did. He immediately told me he removed the car from their list. He also told me the time and date of the incident, on which my car and I were over 1000 miles away for days prior and after.

I am still kinda shaken by it, since 1) they lied to me saying that they were so sure. 2) they made a low-key scene, potentially alienating me in a store that I patronize heavily and know many folks. 3) would not share any of the info. I want hem to retract their erroneous police report, and do better in general with people's data and info.

Part of me thinks that the LPO might just be targeting me because I am in there so often, have a small backpack at all times, return a lot of stuff (since I buy for multiple projects, and have crews buy things on several accounts that don't always get used) and have autistic traits that make me appear nefarious at times, usually to bully types that alert on that kind of thing. (long experience)

submitted by /u/supersunnyout
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