Property Crime and Typologies Performance Task

This incident happened at the Socks for feet store at the 222 citation way. It was a case about property crime where three suspects; Bubba Hurt, Skeeter Redrum, and Summer Breeze, were spotted by the security officer for stealing socks in different sections of the store. Although they managed to escape, they were arrested at the Just for kicks martial arts studio, and the items recovered at one of the suspects’ car. To solve this crime, it is prudent for any district attorney to understand crime and its different typologies to ensure that the criminals are arrested for their respective crimes. This paper will therefore look into the theft charges on these criminals, assess the skill of the criminals, and the typology of the crime they were involved in. 

Theft charges

The three suspects had different roles in this crime but the same intention when getting into the socks for feet store. For instance, Bubba Hurt the first suspect took three dozen pairs of socks from the Big Guy Brand socks and shove them in his pants. Bubba Hurt can therefore be charged for shoplifting since he did not seem like he had any intentions to pay. According to Georgia theft law, shoplifting ranges from an individual attempting to hide an item, change the price fixed by the store, or failure to pay fully for an item collected from a store. It is an offense under the theft law of Georgia whereby, if the suspect stole items worth less than $300, they could either be punished by being convicted for a maximum of a year in jail or pay a fine of about $1000 (Loftin, 2020).

Skeeter Redrum was the second suspect who stole two dozen pairs of 2 Hang Nail Free socks and put them in Summer Breeze’s purse. He would be charged with theft of taking since he unlawfully possesses an item then places it in his friends’ purse to avoid the backlash. The theft by taking charge applies when there is unlawful possession of items. If the item does not belong to you and you have no intention of returning it, then you will face a conviction for this crime under the theft laws of Georgia. The theft by taking means that The fact that he was an accomplice to the crime makes him viable for conviction as a thief. Summer Breeze was the third suspect who received the stolen socks. Therefore, he will be charged with theft of receiving stolen property since they came in the store together and ran away together. Whether or not an individual is aware that items were stolen they will still be charged under the theft law of Georgia. Although they were all shoplifters, they will be charged separately for the crimes they committed. 

Professionals/ amateurs criminals

This crime was conducted by amateurs and this is evident in the way they conceal the stolen items. Bo Foot, the security officer, observed how each suspect conducted their crime. For instance, Bubba Hurt went to the Big Guy Brand socks, took three dozen pairs then place them in his pants. This technique is common among teenagers who wish to possess items for them to fit in, with their peer groups. A professional could have had a strategy to ensure that the crime was done in a way he or she would never be suspected. For instance, they could purchase something of less value, take off the tags of the stolen socks, or conceal them in a way the shop attendants would never suspect them. Professional criminals always have a plan and are very witty such that even when you catch them, you will be confused over whether they committed the crime (Samuel, 2019). Bubba Hurt is an amateur shoplifter since his technique of theft made it easy for the security officer to spot him and immediately determine that he did not have intentions to pay for the socks. 

Besides, Skeeter Redrum is also an amateur shoplifter since does not dare to have the stolen items. Amateur criminals have limited damage, and when they suspect that they are going to be caught they try to pin the crime on someone else. They are easily threatened since they do not have a plan, and the crime could be a need to satisfy psychological curiosity. Summer Breeze was the third suspect who received the items that were stolen from the Big guy brand socks. It seems like she knew what was happening since when the security officer approached them, they began to run. They did not plan on how they would execute this crime, and their body language must have tipped the security officer of their plans. Although the damage was done was limited, they still needed to face the consequences since they are all criminals under the theft laws of Georgia. 

It was common theft but petty larceny in particular. Petty larceny involves shoplifting or theft of items under $100 since they stole branded socks. Besides, Skeeter Redrum could also be charged with theft by fraud since he stole by pretense. He stole the socks than tricked Summer Breeze into possessing them by placing them in her purse. 

Criminal typology

Although we do not have background information about what these suspects do to earn a living, they are could be categorized as snitch shoplifters. These kinds of criminals may never have experience with shoplifting and also do not consider themselves as criminals. They steal small items that are inexpensive mostly for personal consumption. They could have the money to purchase these items but do it anyway for the thrill of it. They may be doing it out of excitement, they needed the socks, or due to inefficient security personnel. Therefore, this larceny crime could be categorized as a snitch shoplifter because they were not sure what they were doing. They panic when the security officer began approaching then and begun running, and unfortunately, the first suspect fell but still managed to escape. Eventually, these criminals were apprehended at the Just for Kicks Martial Arts studio located at 626 Felony Drive. Also, the stolen items were recovered in one of the suspects’ car. 

According to Georgia theft laws, shoplifting can be done by an individual or as a group whereby merchandise is acquired with no intention of paying for them. Concealing or taking items from a store without paying for them is illegal, and there is a penalty for that. Individuals who alter with the fixed price tag of items in the store are also considered shoplifters. Those who transfer merchandise or goods to different containers are also charged with the offense of shoplifting. Besides, those who change price tags or the labels on items or confuse the cashier on the right price of the item could also be convicted for this crime. Therefore, depending on the age of the criminal, the charges may apply differently, but the general fine is about $1000 (Neely, 2020). Once the suspect has been apprehended, the authorities investigate whether they have a history of shoplifting. If they do, they could be charged an extra $250 or sentenced to imprisonment. 

However, if it has become a habit and the shoplifter is apprehended the third time, they are imprisoned for thirty days or placed in home detention for about 120days. The court may also recommend that he goes through a psychological evaluation to find out what is triggering his kleptomaniac behavior (Richard, 2020). Besides, if it is the fourth time this individual is being apprehended for shoplifting, they will be imprisoned for a minimum of one year and a maximum of ten years. Also, the items shoplifted need to be more than $300. As the district attorney handling this case, I will ensure that justice is served by holding them accountable for the crimes they committed. Shoplifting cannot be ignored if the cases are happening regularly. However, these suspects need to understand what they are being charged for according to Georgia’s laws on theft. They should know that there are consequences for such actions.

References

Loftin, C. (2020). Thou shall not steal: Assessing demographic and neighborhood predictors of shoplifting through the lens of social disorganization theory.

Neely Jr, P (2020). Juvenile Justice: The Intake Process.

Richard, K. (2020). Effects of Laws, Policies, and Rehabilitation Programs on African American Male Juvenile Recidivism in Southwest Georgia (Doctoral dissertation, Walden University).

Samuel, D. F. (2019). LexisNexis Practice Guide: Georgia Criminal Evidence. LexisNexis.

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