If somebody left a wallet in a fast food restaurant booth with a wad of cash in it, and the next people came and sat in that booth and took the lost wallet with them (money, etc.) would that be illegal? Certainly immoral, but is it really illegal to take lost property?
(It was on the news here in So. Cal.)
2007-01-04 09:36:45 · 10 answers · asked by Honesty given here! 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The boy who took it was caught on camera from the fast food restaraunt.
2007-01-04 09:43:42 · update #1
It's illegal as it should be.
I once left my debit card in an ATM after making a deposit - just forgot about it.
I realized it was missing when I went grocery shopping 20 minutes later.
I called the bank to let them know I had left it in the ATM.
Someone used it after me (I was still logged in) and withdrew $700. Not only was my money given back by the bank, but the cameras recorded the theft and that person was arrested.
2007-01-04 09:43:06 · answer #1 · answered by flywho 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is Illegal. It is theft and they could be charged with possession of stolen property.
It would be far better for them to have taken the wallet to the management so the police could be called and the rightful owners notified so they can come back and collect it.
2007-01-04 09:41:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anthony 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about california, here in minnesota it is not illegal to pick something up that you found and keep it, it is however illegal to keep it if you actually saw it drop from the persons pocket or saw it on the bench while the owner was still in your sight. though all of these variables are hard to prove chances are a case like that would never prosecuted.
2007-01-04 09:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by earnhardtiskingofnascar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, however, if the person who lost the wallet reports it stolen and you get caught with it, the police aren't going to believe you found it. Best bet is to turn it in or keep the money and leave the wallet.
2007-01-04 09:41:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Good one...I know I have lost my wallet before, the worst part of loosing you wallet is not the cash...its everything else in it.....
It could be considered theft because it is not technically yours...but how did they get caught?
2007-01-04 09:41:03 · answer #5 · answered by nuz24 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should return it to authority, I heard it somewhere if no one goes to collect or claim it back within 90 days, then you can have the money.
2007-01-04 09:44:38 · answer #6 · answered by YourDreamDoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep. That's theft.
2007-01-04 09:44:45 · answer #7 · answered by Charlie Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It would be stealing. And if it contained a Credit Card, it would be a felony here.
2007-01-04 09:40:08 · answer #8 · answered by Citicop 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like THEFT, which IS illegal!
2007-01-04 09:40:32 · answer #9 · answered by boogeywoogy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would say it's a crappy thing to do, but I don't believe it is illegal. If it's not, it should be.
2007-01-04 09:39:58 · answer #10 · answered by kelly24592 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋