I think my stepson stole from us. Can I call the police without 100% proof?

Question

My stepson is 12. He has stolen from my husband and I and also from my brother before. However, he no longer lives with us so I thought that we wouldn't have to deal with him stealing from us anymore. I had about $700.00 in a fire proof lock box, that was set aside to pay our property taxes. I know that he knew the money was in there, because right before school started this year, I got into the box and I had a little over $800.00 and I took out $100.00 to buy him and my son school clothes. He had walked by my door when I was getting the money out, so I know he knew I had money in that box. I kept the keys by my jewelry box and I know he probably saw me put it back. If someone had broken in and stole it, they wouldn't have passed up everything else in the house, just to take that money, plus a robber wouldn't have known to go straight to my bedroom and look in that box. His mother is going to try to get to the bottom of this this afternoon. Can I call the police with little proof?

I do not believe that my son, who is 10, took the money. I have never had any problems with stealing with my son. But we have had quite a few issues of stealing with my stepson. Every time that he has stolen, he first tried to lie his way out of it, then when he finally either got caught with the money or items on him or admitted to it, he said he was sorry and that he wouldn't do it again. However, he always went and did it again. We did have this child in counceling, however it didn't help. If he doesn't want to change, he isn't going to change. I am so furious right now that I don't feel sorry for him at all! As horrible as this sounds, right now I am worried about getting that money located, because we can't pay our property taxes without that money.

First off, I can't confront the kid right now. He is in school 2 hours away. This just came about in the last hour, when I was going to get the money to go pay our taxes. My husband hasn't done anything wrong, so people stop reading your own ideas into this situation. There is alot more to this situation that I haven't said here, so I don't need an analysis of my husbands father skills, all I asked is if I can call the police with what little information I have. This kid has been given chance, after chance, after chance. He has been in counceling, on medication, talked to a preacher, and non of it has done any good. So don't assume things about me and my husband that you don't know.

Answer 1

Yes, you can. Call them and let them show up right when he's doning something he really likes. They will come in and ask you some questions, possibly arresting him. Then, once he's in the cop car, follow them to the station.
Tell him that he has two options:
(A) Tell where the money is and he will be released
(B) Press charges of robbery.

This should scare him enough to give in. Then, while he's at the station, youre husband takes something he likes.

Hope this works. It will get some sense into the kid.

If people are angry with me now, send me a message thru Yahoo Answers explaining why.

Answer 2

Why call the police, for a step-son taking money? You KNOW he'd take it, and still you left it in an easily found place? (I think you did it ON PURPOSE either knowing or unknowingly.) You want to see him punished, and your hubby isn't delivering the goods on fatherhood for the flesh of his blood (and another woman) out of guilt, maybe? What you and hubbub need to do -- is treat this like he did it. Say that things are going to be strict around the home, and he will get a great allowance -- IF he admits what he did with the $$$. Don't say: "did you take it" or any question that can get an immediate lie (which is easy). Just have your hubby say, in private: "how did you spend the $$$". Because that's a ton of cash for a 12-yr old. It might = a new ipod, shopping spree for his freinds, gift for a girlfriend, or DRUGS so your husband better get off his rear-end.

Answer 3

Wait a minute, He is blood and you seem afraid to confront him. Why? There seems to be more to this than meets the eye. It was your money, not his mother's.So stop stalling around and confront him!! Then you have a better idea of what you are dealing with. This should have been done before you brought strangers, into it. Stop airing your personal problems, in public before you give the real individual, a chance to own up to what you believe he did. You just might be surprised, with the answer, you might get. Maybe that is where the problem, lies. What he, might say????

Answer 4

I don't suggest involving the police.

He needs to be confronted and if he admits to this (pretty hard to hide that amount of money, or have nothing to show for it when you are 12) appropriate retribution should be made.

More importantly, his parents should try to find out why he would do this and he must be made to understand how wrong this is.

Counselling may be the way to go as this sounds serious and should be paid attention to before it escalates.

Good luck.

Answer 5

Call the police to report a robbery, once they get there they will ask the questions and obviously they are going to believe the same things you do....that it was an inside job. They will investigate and get to the bottom of it. All the proof that you need in order to call the police is the fact that the money has been stolen. Everything else will come out.

Answer 6

Any way, i would not say that your step son actually stole the said money, considering his age and also the fact that he is not the only person in the house. i would rather advise that you have some people to counsel both your stepson and even your own son too as the case may be. Calling the police may not realy help now, you need concret evidence as it may proceed to court case.

Answer 7

Why? Isn't there a way to settle this within the family without involving the police? You said his mother is going to get to the bottom of it this afternoon. Couldn't he work to repay the money? Just a suggestion.

Anyway. You could file a report with the police but I don't know how much they will be able to do without proof or a confession.

Answer 8

is it possible that your son took it? or are you pretty sure it was your stepson? try and find some proof first. $700 is a felony offense and is no joking matter. do you want to actually press charges if you find out it was him? you can call the cops and have them get fingerprints - but thats a huge hassle if you arent going to press charges. sounds like to me that your stepson needs a wake up call - maybe some time in juvenile hall would do him some good. call them and explain the situation.

Answer 9

How dare you! Call the police,on your own stepson,shame on you! I mean if you had an abusive husband who raped you and stole from you I would understand,but your stepson,who is 10?
What's wrong with you? I'm guessing your a right winger (pretty obvious with your narrow mind). And,you only have little proof!
You should be ashamed of yourself! And if you find out that he did steal the money, talk with him about what he's done, and give him a punishment and maybe see a psychiatrist/therapist (for the child,not you).And ask him for parenting tips if you want.

If anyone has any comments,including the person who asked the
question,email me at:

[e-mail]

My name is Gil.

Answer 10

What does the father say? I think it is a little drastic to call the cops. You should want to help this kid! Try counseling of some sort before sending the kid off to juvie!