In my search for interesting blog ideas, I am always perusing the Greeley, Windsor, and Evans news sites looking for new, interesting, or infuriating topics I can share with you. This can sometimes be a depressing task, seeing as much of what I read is negative. However, I came across a story the other day that put a smile on my face and I hope it does the same for you. Police were called to an Ocean State Job Lot where a store employee reported a woman had shoplifted. Through some investigative work, the officer was able to locate the woman and found the stolen items at her house: a cake mix, shortening, and frosting. When he questioned the woman, she admitted to taking the items in order to bake a birthday cake for her child. Instead of arresting her on the spot, or issuing her a summons, he gathered the items, took them back to the store manager and paid for them for the woman. She was able to provide her child with the birthday cake and avoid criminal prosecution. It’s refreshing to hear a story about a police officer who understands people are flawed and make mistakes but also sees the value in forgiveness and second chances.
Weld County Shoplifting Theft
While the lucky woman above was not charged with a crime, if it had been another officer or a different situation, she could have been facing Theft charges. The Colorado law definition of Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401 – is:
- Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value;
- Knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value in such manner as to deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit;
- Uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value intending that such use, concealment, or abandonment will deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit;
- Demands any consideration to which he or she is not legally entitled as a condition of restoring the thing of value to the other person; or
- Knowingly retains the thing of value more than seventy-two hours after the agreed-upon time of return in any lease or hire agreement.
In cases of Shoplifting, the value of the items taken can add up quickly. What’s interesting about Shoplifting Theft is you don’t even have to make it out of the store with the items to get this Theft charge. If an employee or security officer sees a person put something in their pocket or purse, they can accuse you of Theft. How can it be Theft if the item hasn’t even left the store? They would have to know your intentions were to steal, which they just assume. I know I have put things in my pocket before, just because I was running out of space in my arms and had previously decided not to get a cart. I had every intention of paying for the items, which I did when I went to the register. I know better now because in these situations the procedure tends to be arrest first, ask questions later.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Theft in Weld, Morgan, or Logan County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – Clker-Free-Vector-Images