should 12 year old boy be arrested for stealing 29 cent piece of candy?

Question

A 12 year old boy stoled a 29 cent piece of candy from a store in Rochester N.H. police want to press charges even though store owner does not want to his parents have punnished him he had to write a note in his own words to the store owner butt police still want to press charges what do you think before you answer think have you ever popped a grape in your mouth while you were shopping??? opened and ate food while you were shopping and forgot to pay for it if so that is also stealing so think before you answer and rember this boy will have a record for the rest of his life for 29 cents is it not up to the parents to punnish him??? are we wasteing tax dollars on this how do you feel

Answer 1

I don't need to think no the police why they are trying to press the issue on filing charges against the 12 year old is beyond me
the owner does not want to file charges and has forgiven him and his parents have and are punishing him so what is the police problem they don't have anything better they can be doing with the peoples tax money than to pursue a twelve year old get real they have way too much time on there hands.
And like you said how many of us including those cops have popped or taken candy out of the store themselves when they were kids let it go and move on police if he does it again than that is a different story but for now give him a warning and move on ok.

Answer 2

Stealing is stealing no matter how much the item was that was stolen. If they don't do something about it when he's caught this time, it could escalate and he'll be stealing more and more expensive stuff later on. It would be a great way to teach him a lesson. And no, I don't eat anything at the store while I'm shopping unless I have already paid for it. It's still stealing (actually called grazing). It's up to the store owner, the legal system and his parents to punish him. This type of behavior should not go on, especially in kids that age.

Answer 3

I have never popped a grape in my mouth nor opened and ate food I had not purchased. People who do that are very tacky. Because the boy is 12 years old I think a really good talking to him from the police and his parents so that he understands that stealing is wrong is good enough. I don't think he should be arrested.

Answer 4

For a crime to be a crime there must be a victim. It is up to the store to press charges or not, the police department did not list itself as the victim in their report nor could they.

So the answer to your question is yes, he should be charged with theft and you need to read the name of the complainant on the court papers again before you blame the police department. They are not the ones that press charges anyway. The police make the arrest and then turn it over to the city attorney.

BTW, I don't eat food in the grocery store or steal even small amount. I teach my children not to do that either.

Answer 5

He was stealing....the amount is irrelevant.

And, eating grapes, bananas and other things while you are shopping is stealing also....

I turn those people in when I see it. Theft only drives prices higher.

If the parents had done their job right, he wouldn't have been stealing in the first place so I don't think their "punishment" would have any merit.

Do you realize that most people go through their whole lives and NEVER take anything that doesn't belong to them??? Or do you think it's OK to take other peoples things or merchandise without paying.

Answer 6

Isn’t the punishment supposed to be equal to the crime? Arresting him is probably a good deterrent from future misconduct and public humiliation is a suitable punishment. Also maybe doing some community service but that should be the end of it.
I like what the parents did, have him write a letter of apology!

Answer 7

he has to learn that stealing 29 cents is no different than stealing a DVD player. by excusing him is just telling him that in real life you can get away with certain things.

if its not a big deal, then why didnt he simply just ask his parents for the money.

as for popping a grape in my mouth..never! everyone knows that you are suppose to wash grapes before eating.

my mother once ate a small bag of chips while grocery shopping. but she handed the empty bag to the cashier and paid for it.

Answer 8

Arrested, yes. Charged, no.

My son was caught shoplifting when 11 years old. As painful as it was for me, it woke him up and he stopped.

The truth is that by the time that a shoplifter is arrested, they usually have stolen so many times that they have become arrogant and sloppy about their habit.

If they are arrested again, that's when the charges should be pressed. And a juvenile will not have a lifelong record. The records are stricken at 18 years old.

Answer 9

i agree whats the difference between 29cents or $400 from his parents...NONE....at 12 yrs old he is responsible for his own actions, assuming there isn't anything medically stating otherwise. as for a record hes a minor it will be sealed and gone in 8 years. This may wake the child up and prevent him from more illegal acts, possible his Friends wont do it if they see it first hand...Yeah press charges and pursue it.

Answer 10

There no resaon to reward bad behaver. It seem a bit harsh unless he has a past on stealing. Do like the celebrities an put him in rehab it works for them look at the news media will go wild.