Caught a kid shoplifting a candy bar and now I'm the bad guy

I was grabbing a six pack at the corner store on Friday when I saw a boy, maybe ten, stuff a chocolate bar into his jacket pocket. He looked right at me, panicked, and ran out. I told the cashier, who just shrugged and said 'It's fifty cents, man, let it go.' I felt like a jerk for saying something, but also like I should have. The whole thing took maybe thirty seconds, but I've been thinking about it since. Was I wrong to call out a small theft, or wrong to feel bad about it? What's the line between being a good citizen and just minding your own business? Has anyone else had a tiny moment like this that stuck with them?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan6661mo ago

My buddy saw a guy take a cheap lighter from a gas station once. He told the clerk, who got super mad and yelled at the guy until he paid. My friend felt awful for weeks, like he started a whole thing over a dollar. Those little moments really mess with you.

paige87020d ago

Wait the cashier actually said "it's fifty cents, man"? That's wild. They really just did not care at all.

sam5301mo ago

Totally get it. @rowan666's story about the lighter is exactly the same vibe. I once pointed out a lady who didn't scan a bag of chips at the self-checkout. The employee made a huge deal and the lady started crying. I still cringe thinking about it, all over some snacks.