Can I be arrested?

Question

Me and my husband have had a cleaning business for four years this is the first time we've ever been accused of stealing anything and I need a little advice. My husband and I cleaned for a older lady and she called us 2 weeks later saying that her pistol was missing. I never even seen a pistol! My husband moved the pistol from on top of the dresser along with other stuff to dust and then when he put everything back on the dresser the pistol wasn't there so he assumed she had moved it because she was going through the stuff he was taking down.  2 days later a police officer wants us to come in for questioning? Do we need a lawyer? I have really bad anxiety and find it extremely difficult to talk to anyone. So I don't want the officer to yell at Me and get in my face. Can they arrest us if they have absolutely no proof?  We have never and never will steal from a customer and cannot afford for this to happen to our business. Any suggestions will be great.
Thanks.

Yeti · Answer

It's not clear how your husband moved this to dust, and then it went missing. Normally those who move things for dusting put them back within minutes. It makes sense the woman wouldn't notice it for two weeks if it was normally up on top of a dresser, presumably out of normal view.

I don't know why you think an officer would yell at you. But if you react like you describe, you're going to appear guilty.

They may arrest you if it starts appearing "probable" that you and/or your husband did this. If nothing else, they may want to properly question you. You probably should contact an attorney, even if just to talk you through the process. You're not indicating who else may have had access to this room, for example. And it sounds suspiciously like your husband may actually have taken it.

By the way, you're probably posting enough information here that anyone familiar with it can find it and use it against you, or alter their own story. If you really need advice, contact that attorney, don't keep asking here.

If you really did nothing wrong, go talk to the police and help them as best you can. There's a missing pistol, and that's not good. People who steal such things usually do so intending to commit crime elsewhere.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm a layman, but I believe they must inform you that you have a right to remain silent and to seek an attorney. If they read you those rights, I would indeed state you want to remain silent and get the attorney. Or, you may want to ask an attorney what to do, beforehand.

This is really sad, and sick. But just deal with it.

Her waiting the 2 weeks seems very strange. Really,, I would get some legal advice beforehand, A lawyer should not charge that much for a consultation and it should give you some peace of mind. Then if you need him, you'll know whom to call.

Athena · Answer

I find it interesting that along with your cleaning business you are not bonded against this sort of thing.  Being in people's homes, moving their stuff, accidents are bound to happen.  You DO have insurance, correct?

I also find it odd that of all the things the woman said could be missing, a gun is the only thing she came up with.  Add that to your "social anxiety" (which has nothing to do with the case) and I am guessing that there is more to this story then you are telling us.

The police can call you down for questioning.  It is part of the investigation.  The police in real life are not like the "rouge cop on the edge" in all those "Law & Order" TV shows you have been watching.

Anonymous · Answer

Get a lawyer and say nothing to the police without your lawyer's advice, nothing.

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Can I be arrested?

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