Entering the store - I went to the jewelry isle to find crimp beads and I picked some off of a couple of racks; As I was looking at other things in the store, I remembered that in my purse was a plastic bag of tools, crimpers and wire used to hang my carvings in a show last weekend. I removed a package of crimper beads from my bag to compare with and realized that I had picked up more of the same size, so I returned the ones that I had picked up to the jewelry isle and picked up some key rings, proceeded to the check out counter with my purchases and told the young man that I was putting my things back in my purse, paid for my purchases and started to leave the store when the manager and security accused me of stealing and took me to the office. We watched the videos and they showed me taking the items from the shelf, it showed me returning to the shelf that is all - it never showed me concealing anything, never any intent to steal anything - I tried to tell him that the items that he took from my purse was mine - paid for at a store in Austin, told him that I had receipts, but not with me as I was just passing through town to another showing of my art works. I offered to provided them if he would only let me go get them. But instead he never ever offered any proof of his accusations, never asked the sales clerk if he could back my story, but rather had the officers write up a citation to appear in court and would not let me leave the room without signing a paper stating that if I ever enter another Hobby Lobby I will be charged with trespassing! I did provide the receipts to the judge and she dismissed the case, but the manager stole my belongings; literally "kidnapped" me into signing the paper (that is what the Judge called it)-and embarrassed, frightened me and harassed me as I have never been treated before. What can a person do to regain their pride after something like this. I teach crafts and woodcarving and show my art work all over Texas and New Mexico - I have spent a lot of time and money with this chain of stores - and now to be banned from all of them without probable cause?
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