Bike theft charges?

[Xantavia]

Agreed. I have worked with several felons that have gone through the VA's rehab program. Our company hires non-violent felons who have, served their time, completed the program and have no criminal history for 5 years following completion of the rehab program. They all talk about the regret of doing incredibly stupid things like stealing a car to go for a joyride and getting caught. Yes it was stupid. Yes it was illegal. Yes they did jail time for it. But now 5+ years later they are still working for minimum wage or just over and struggling to get by because not very many people will hire them. That is what I am talking about. Maybe this guy needed money and made the stupid decision to go steal some bikes to get it. Maybe he is not a career criminal. Maybe he is. I don't know.

I am all for consequences and if he is a repeat offender then he deserves everything he gets. But I am not sure I want to be the one that puts them in the position to be a repeat offender because of the hardship of having a felony conviction on their record. The angry spiteful part of me says "fuck you, you stole from me" but the compassionate part of me says I will regret the angry vengeance as I have in the past.

So, circumstances and time to think about it armed with information about the offender would be huge factors in my decision to press charges. Also, stuff is stuff and I can get more.

For somebody like CS, it sounds like stealing his bike is akin to stealing a man's horse. Sure, it may have been a lark that could potentially affect future job prospects. But without a mode of transport, missing college classes is another way to end up stuck in a minimum wage job.

[Abandon]

fuck this dude. see if you can get lunch money out of it too

[Stromgarde]

According to Florida Criminal Law since the value of your bike was at least $400 he would probably be looking at third degree grand theft, meaning up to $5k and 5 years in prison max. Max terms being what they are he'd probably see a lot less than that but a felony is still a felony.

[Cream Soda]

I paid 400 for it, but it was worth more. Fuck yea.

What's the minimum for jail time for that?

[archibaldcrane]

Well, just remember you don't get to decide whether he's charged with a felony, or whether he's allowed to plea-bargain down to a misdemeanor. All you can do is say "yeah I want to press charges" and let the system do its thing.

So you know where the bike is at the pawn shop, and you have video of the guy taking it - but do you know who the guy is? It's not like they're going to put out an APB for the dude.

[Cream Soda]

The cop has the information from the pawn shop he sold it to. Name/address/contact info

[Deader2818]

he'll prob just get community service.

[mightyg]

Seriously man, he'll just be out there ruining everyone's day to get booze and stripper cash if you don't. At least slow him down and save other people from getting their bikes jacked.

[Apelila]

Seriously man, he'll just be out there ruining everyone's day to get booze and stripper cash if you don't. At least slow him down and save other people from getting their bikes jacked.

^this. Doesn't matter what sob story could be true, you have an opportunity to prevent other people from having a shitty day. It's not like you're responsible for what eventually happens to the stupid bastard.

[archibaldcrane]

The cop has the information from the pawn shop he sold it to. Name/address/contact info

Hmm, does the pawn shop require a valid ID? Seems odd to give true info in that situation if you're a criminal.

[Cream Soda]

Hmm, does the pawn shop require a valid ID? Seems odd to give true info in that situation if you're a criminal.

Not sure, he hasn't told me which pawn shop yet

[Day]

Karma from shitting on floors bro.

[NynJa]

Hmm, does the pawn shop require a valid ID? Seems odd to give true info in that situation if you're a criminal.

They still said they have his face on camera I think. Also, if a pawn shop is found selling stolen goods, cant they be forced to return it. If thats the case, the pawn shop would be the lowers, so I'd think they'd take all precautions before buying anyones goods.

[Xantavia]

^this. Doesn't matter what sob story could be true, you have an opportunity to prevent other people from having a shitty day. It's not like you're responsible for what eventually happens to the stupid bastard.

Yup. Had a roommate steal all my rare Magic the Gathering cards (mostly arabian nights, legends, and antiquities). His father begged me to drop it because he was sorry and would affect his life. Nope, you're son was 22 and used it to buy booze. He was old enough to know what he was doing. I'll admit, I called the cops because I was pissed at him. Moved out of state, then like 2 years later got a check for $900. Pretty sweet since I only noticed they were missing because I was about to give them to my brother.

[arus2001]

Makes me appreciate my dinky little town all the more. When I was younger, would basically park my bike under our deck or leave it up front during the day/good weather. Would just park it in front of the general store or the old place my parents owned. Could take it to the ball fields or basketball court. Would just lean it against my friends' fences when at their place, too. Never once had my bike stolen in not using a chain/lock, nor I can recall anyone ever talking about theirs being stolen, either.

...jump to the next town over, though...

[Abandon]

the niggas were in the town over

[arus2001]

Correct.

[Cream Soda]

Find out for sure tomorrow if the bike is mine; cop is going down to the pawn shop

[Plow]

Makes me appreciate my dinky little town all the more. When I was younger, would basically park my bike under our deck or leave it up front during the day/good weather. Would just park it in front of the general store or the old place my parents owned. Could take it to the ball fields or basketball court. Would just lean it against my friends' fences when at their place, too. Never once had my bike stolen in not using a chain/lock, nor I can recall anyone ever talking about theirs being stolen, either.

...jump to the next town over, though...

actually bike theft varies mostly by how much bikes are actually used in an area

in kansas you almost never see/hear about it, in denver it's so bad my uncle once went inside to grab a drink, left his garage door open, came back out a minute or 2 later and his bike was gone from inside the garage behind a jeep

[Nephlite]

actually bike theft varies mostly by how much bikes are actually used in an area

in kansas you almost never see/hear about it, in denver it's so bad my uncle once went inside to grab a drink, left his garage door open, came back out a minute or 2 later and his bike was gone from inside the garage behind a jeep

Huge problem here. Only takes a second and people's shit gets taken. One guy stopped at a hotdog stand to buy a bottle of water and parked it right beside the stand. Crowd coming out of the metro (supposedly) obscured his vision of the bicycle for a second when he turned back around it was gone.

U-Locks are optional nowadays since that one video was leaked on how to pick one of those locks with a ballpoint pen.