Received And Sold Stolen Merchandise

[tomtom7788]

Hey my friend stole an item and i sold it for him at the pawn shop. I have a feeling i might get caught and i might be charged because i sold the watch and my records listed on their computer. What's the worst thing that can happen to me? What if i ratted out my friend, if i do get into some kind of consequence?

[tomtom7788]

P.S. im 18 and my friends 17 in state of GA.

[usedbranflakes]

If the watch was under $300 and this was a one-time deal then you are likely looking at Theft by Receiving, which is a misdemeanor. If your sticky-fingered friend or you stole from more than 3 shops in the past week then you are staring down a Felony. There is a monetary limit of $100, which sets the bar really low for a Felony.

If caught you both will likely recieve a letter from the merchant for about 3x the cost of the merchandise or $250, whichever is smaller.

Then there are "Conspiracy" charges, which can be a Felony. They usually don't bring those on a few punk kids that are starting down the wrong side of the tracks. They try to fix you all first.

If you rat out your friend...
You get called a rat and if you and your friend spend time in jail together (not likely since he is a juvenile) and he notes you ratted him out you could get punked or turned out, even though it is not prison.

Take your licks and your punishment (if you get caught) like a man and tell your not yet a man friend that he is committing adult crimes and needs to man up.

Generally, for the misdemeanor side of this, you get a diversion type of program (deferred ajudication, prayer for judgement continued, diversion), probation, etc.

Most stores report the theft but it is rare when the police have the time to match the merchandise with the theft. It's usually the video that gets observed and the software that stores are installing, similar to casinos, that can track a tagged theif's face with about 95% accuracy. The other 5% accuracy is usually the loss prevention folks. When they nab your friend and show him/her the theft and then bring the police in to question your friend he/she will sing like a canary. They will go to the pawn shop and tie it to you.

You might want to have a sit-down with your parents...

[4eyedbuzzard]

I'm thinking the situation is more like his friend clipped a watch from a private home or locker room or something and the poster fenced it at the pawn shop.