I really wish that this would have happened to me - especially being out here in Ca - (this was a security guard right). In Ca, theft is described as taking something that doesn't belong to you, with THE INTENT TO PERMANENTLY DEPRIVE IT'S OWNER of said property. Second of all, that security guard can't lay a hand on you at all unless you're in a fight, or you're threatening to cause/bring/use violence. If this Wegman's were stupid enough to try to take you to court, you could probably very easily have the case thrown out if they wrote over the tape already - since the only form of acquitting evidence was destroyed. Also, having non relatives (IE coworkers) testify about your character - "Thurm is an honest coworker, and I would say that I'd trust him in my house to not steal anything". File a civil suit while you're at it, and tell them that you'll call some form of media up to let them know about how they're treating their customers, and how that treatment resulted in them being slapped with a civil suit. Also - ask for an injunction to be imposed on them too (a fine to punish them for their improper behavior resulting in some kind of injury ie. physical, financial etc... to a customer. They'll probably settle with you out of court just to keep their name from being dragged through court, and the media as well.