I Hate A Thief, Especially An RVer That Steals!

[redbaron]

Can someone explain this to me? I’m not a California resident, but a quick reading of the California Penal Code indictates that thefts under $950 from stores is “shoplifting,” a crime. A theft of any value from a non-commercial site appears to qualify as “burglary.”

Not wanting to get political here, just trying to understand how someone could walk into a store and walk out with $900 worth of merchandise without paying for it and not be charged with shoplifting.

TJ

I do not know about CA, but I can tell you about Dallas, TX.

The Dallas DA decided that it was not worth the time to prosecute, arrest, and otherwise detain theft under $750.00.

Here is the exact quote from the news article:

The new district attorney in Dallas has announced his office will no longer prosecute those who steal "theft of necessary items" up to $750. ... The DA tried to defend his decision, saying prosecutors are “criminalizing poverty” by going after people who steal what he considers “personal items.”

This has caused a lot of tension with business owners, law abiding citizens, and police.

There are several cases where a shop owner decided to take matters in their own hands, and detain those that where stealing, and more than one that has used violence in protecting their personal property.

 

[Neal]

Wouldn't it be "Trespassing" more than Theft?

Regardless, I think in the scenario above take pictures, get license plates, give to the office when they open. Let them know what happened and they can decide. Should they call the poh-poh and the poh poh contact the individuals involved, I'm sure just "the call" would be enough to slap them on the wrist so that they may think twice before doing this again. I doubt anyone would prosecute anything unless it was a repeat situation where they were warned and continued to abuse the system. Just like the dog poo in campgrounds and trash in campgrounds where people know they are never coming back and will likely be out of state, all of the above know no one is going to do anything about it. Scaring the offenders is the best medicine and that's a call to from the poh poh or having them come back to the campground to pay for the night with no charges filed would work too.

 

[MapNerd]

I think if it were me, I’d have to lockup the store and just take orders online. Place your order, pay online, we’ll bag it up and you can come get it. No customers allowed in the store if stealing up to $750/per person is effectively legal.

 

[MapNerd]

Wouldn't it be "Trespassing" more than Theft?

Regardless, I think in the scenario above take pictures, get license plates, give to the office when they open. Let them know what happened and they can decide. Should they call the poh-poh and the poh poh contact the individuals involved, I'm sure just "the call" would be enough to slap them on the wrist so that they may think twice before doing this again. I doubt anyone would prosecute anything unless it was a repeat situation where they were warned and continued to abuse the system. Just like the dog poo in campgrounds and trash in campgrounds where people know they are never coming back and will likely be out of state, all of the above know no one is going to do anything about it. Scaring the offenders is the best medicine and that's a call to from the poh poh or having them come back to the campground to pay for the night with no charges filed would work too.

Yeah but then it’s whack a mole at that point. How many $750 thefts can your business afford?

 

[derek007]

There are a lot of California residents here at Glacier. I have yet to meet one that agrees with their governor or the socialism leaning views. They do often have some very foul language in regards to their governor.

Take away is don't judge a person from their license plate, good people are from all over.

I bet you did meet some that do agree with the governor. You are making this political.

 

[derek007]

There are a lot of California residents here at Glacier. I have yet to meet one that agrees with their governor or the socialism leaning views. They do often have some very foul language in regards to their governor.

Take away is don't judge a person from their license plate, good people are from all over.

I bet you have, but want to make this political again. SMH.

 

[MapNerd]

Let’s keep it civil, folks

 

[Skipper N Martha Bishop]

I will say this, I pay for services. I don't like free and I will not abuse another person's or company's service. My honor want let me cheat anyone. Skipper

 

[FL-JOE]

Can someone explain this to me? I’m not a California resident, but a quick reading of the California Penal Code indictates that thefts under $950 from stores is “shoplifting,” a crime. A theft of any value from a non-commercial site appears to qualify as “burglary.”

Not wanting to get political here, just trying to understand how someone could walk into a store and walk out with $900 worth of merchandise without paying for it and not be charged with shoplifting.

TJ

I had the same disbelief TJ. I initially watched videos from SF on a certain news broadcast several weeks ago, then again recently. Folks walking into a chain drug store (CVS, Walgreens, etc.) and literally filling up lawn size garbage bags with goods and walking out while the employees just watched them. Many of those chain stores are now closing except for drive-thru service.

One of the defenses for the shoplifting or theft statutes in California is they have to prove you intended to steal when you entered the store. About the only way to prove that would be if the thief admitted it, right? So the police know they won't get a conviction and the prosecutors know they can't charge the crime unless they can prove the intent, so all the thugs can steal what they want as long as it totals less than $950.00. I'm sure the elected officials knew exactly what they were passing because the prisons were overpopulated out there.

 

[FL-JOE]

View attachment 8154

Cute! Obviously you love and defend you home state of California. I think that is wonderful. Personally being from a similar dis-functional State (Illinois) I don't defend and share it's views, as a matter of fact I think it is a total joke the way it throws taxpayers money away and keeps trying to tax it's way out of debt. However, with kids and grandkids still living here I find myself visiting every year.

I would never try to defend the State of Illinois to anyone. Any State that is unable to manage the taxpayers money correctly should not be something folks are proud of. I have to visit here, I can do without visiting out there my friend.

 

[Neal]

Let's keep this thread on track please and there is no reason to venture into what may offend others that may or may not want to defend their home turf. As sometimes as threads get deep in replies they stray off the original post (OP) so let's all go back and re-read the OP and reply if you have something to offer that post. Otherwise put the thread to rest if it can't remain on topic and avoid getting personal.