Well, I don't know what the store manager thought. I don't steal from them, so there should be no reason for them to think I do.

I had left the store and was unlocking my bike. I had talked with the manager, indicating my feelings that their provisions for storing my backpack while I was in the store was not sufficient. The cashier yelled at me that "You ride a bike, your money don't count." I was still upset and I responded with something about how I had been a customer there for 3 years. So she threatened to call the cops.

I suspect that this was just a policy change. I've been going into that store for over 3 years, and if they suspect me of stealing, thats completely unfounded.

The importance of getting legalistic is that I feel that most of these people have just been handed down an operating procedure created by a management. I don't think it was thought through, and I don't think they comprehend what level of care they are required to provide for my goods. So in part, for me this has been a search to know exactly what are my rights. And upon discovering what they are, to summarize them for anyone else who is having similar problems. Not legal advice, but a little info to help them figure out their own rights.

I want to prevent my backpack from being stolen while in their care. They obviously have a theft problem or they wouldn't be impounding my backpack. So I have to consider their store a high risk area. And from their comments, I know that preventing my loss is not high on their priorities.

I suspect that the long-term answer is the raffle-ticket system, even though I end up having to buy the raffle tickets for them to use.