My son brings home stolen goods. Should I call the police?

Question

mobile phone's, stereo's, computer games, games consoles.
I've asked him to stop and we've talked about it and his sources but he hasn't listened.
He is 15 years old

Answer 1

Give him an ultimatum that if he brings any more home then you'll contact the police.
Tell him you want to see receipts for anything else he brings home.
Then, when he's 16, boot the little toerag out.

Answer 2

my son recently bought home a phone he had been given.. he could not explain why some one would give away such a nice phone, it was clear that he had been given it, but by some one who nicks phones.. i took him straight down police station.. and having been broken into a number of times this summer by teenagers, i do think you should go to the police, as these kids do it, as their parents don't bother to report it or question where they get stuff from. You are collaborating with him, unless you report it.. I have lost two games consoles, phones, stereo and other items.. and its sickening.. Get police round to your house to meet him after school, or be prepared to only see him via a visiting order when he goes to prison in the future!

Answer 3

Your son seems to be telling you through these actions that he needs attention. This could escalate and land him in jail one day, if you do not strongly deal with whatever the underlying issue is. Open, non-angry conversations. This lifestyle is NOT normal or moral. Where he gets this stuff from could be from a friend, from burglary, etc. Intercede, and don't be afraid of your own kid. Ask him, "Is this what I taught you?". The
answer, mom, YOU know, I DON't.

If you know the source, contact them unless you feel it's too dangerous, depending on the situation.

You might want to hold off on the police for a little while. don't want to completely alienate him, but you DO want to know if these items are being used to buy drugs, etc.

Good luck.


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Answer 4

Unfortunately, yes. You need to talk with your son and explain to him that he must turn himself over to the authorities immediately. If you think he'd run away, contact the police first and follow their directions. But, absolutely preferably, speak first with the boy and give him a chance to straighten things out on his own initiative. Stay with him all the way, no matter how upset he becomes with you. It's called "tough love". I'm very sorry for you that this situation has had to happen. Just hang in there and be your personal best moment by moment.

Answer 5

I think calling the police is a bit harsh when it's your son. And it also depends what kind of stolen goods. Just talk to him firmly and remind him that the police will get involved if they find out what he's up to, and make sure he knows how serious this can be.

Answer 6

No, never call the police on your kids. Last thing you need is for him to go to Juvenile and build up a record and be amongst criminals. He'll develop new criminal techniques and he'll be unable to get a job. I don't know why American parents always try to lock their kids. Do NOT do.

I suggest you start doing this: Trash any stolen goods he brings, take away any priviledges, talk to a counselor, make him get a full time job, and if it gets out of hand, send him to military school.

I could cite you plenty of cases of people that I grew up with that ended up worse thanks to parents being that stupid.

Answer 7

Yes - you cant continue to allow him to do this - If he sees that he is getting away with it all this time -he's gonna get bored with that & move on to something bigger & more thrill-seeking & dangerous like robbing banks or something or worse

Your the parent - so take charge of your role & put your foot down - Its for his own good - he may not see it that way now & may hate you afterward for a while -but one day he will understand why you did it - Because you LOVE him & you want him to do better

If ya dont want to call the cops -try getting him on the Judge Hatchett Show for an Intervention

Answer 8

Yes I do. You are his mother not his friend. I totally sympathise with you though. Unfortunately, I got into stealing as a youngster andmy parents never reported me although they knew about it. This sort of made it ok?? Obviously as an adult now, and after getting caught, I would never dream of it, but it would have been an invaluable lesson if my parents had reported me earlier. I have a 12yr old son, and there would be no hesitation if I found him stealing in reporting him to the police. Good luck. xxx

Answer 9

I agree with the general opinion here, that you need to take him to the police station , as you have allready pleaded with him.

alternatively ,perhaps you know a cop or lawyer who is willing to have a chat with him, so that he understands\ that since he is well over 12 ,there will be little sympathy for him, if he is caught .even a prison warden could be very helpful here,to explain what life inside is like.

some have suggested that he may be trying to get attention, but I think it is more a fact of wanting as much as friends have.hardly any teens thinks their pocket money or allowance is enough(hence my question before about pocket money) it is very difficult for some to keep up with all the goodies that their friends seem to get effortlessly from parents. try to find ways where he can make some cash and feel proud of himself.

another thing is that maybe he has gotten to that school stage where he doesn't know what the future holds for him. it can be confusing not knowing a solid plan for the furture.maybe he only sees himself in a dead end job. giving him motivation to look forward to adulthood, may take his mind off wrecking it instead.

it is also a good suggestion to know who he hangs out with.not to blame them, but to realise he may be influenced or feeling compelled to doing it.

generally i think that you need to find out why he is doing it.try not to be angry when talking to him about it. explain to him that you would like to trust him and if he makes this important change, that you will not hold it against him that he has made a mistake. allways remember that how we handle our children,especially teens will stay in their minds through these sometimes troublesome years.
man , i wish you luck, as you work through something which must pain your heart.

Answer 10

Yes, tell the police. Technically since he is in your house, is still a minor, and is bringing the goods to your house, you are gonna be held responsible if you don't say something especially since you do know about it. I'd rather turn in my own child for wrong -doing than have someone else do it. Hope everything works out.

Answer 11

you have 2 options

1. Get the police involved, probably, he will never talk to you again, and resent you forever.

2. Kick him out, when he goes out, box up his stuff, and leave it outside. Give him the my house my rules lecture, ending with.. im over 18 your not, and im not going to prison for you.. If he listens, given the prospect of having to find new shelter, let him in, and make damned sure, at the first sign of any stolen goods, that you kick him out again. Step one.. go and buy a new barrel for your door lock. You have to remember, if he tels the police, that you new about it, and you talked about it and did nothing, ure in it up 2 ure neck. they wont help you , they wont be nice, the will just convict.