Accusation of Theft by Taking of Gumball Machine
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Georgia. A probationer placed a gum ball machine in a group area of a building used for his group sessions weekly. The building was no longer going to be used and the individual was contacted to pick up machine which he never did. Th father of probationer is taking theft by taking warrant for the counselor in charge of group because she cannot find the gumball machine and return it to him. This group building has been closed since 2001 and they have investigated this once and the owner of the business went to a storage where the items from the building was stored but told the investigator no machine is found. Is the counselor responsible for theft of this machine and how long do they have to continue investigating the same complaint. Can the officer go to the counselor job and threaten to arrest her at her job which will cost her the employment if she does not pay for this machine immediately. Due to the position with the state she is in this could cost her the job and the county deputy is aware of this but he is doing this due to family ties which is obvious...side note the counselor told the probationer if he placed it there he was responsible for it.
Re: Accusation of Theft by Taking of Gum Ball Machine Not Authorized in Building
Unless the deputy can show actual evidence (even circumstantial evidence) to establish probable cause that your friend actually took the machine, he cannot arrest her. If the machine was left at an unoccupied building for years, it would seem that anyone could have taken it. But, I don’t know what the deputy has discovered in his investigation. If your friend truly believes that the deputy is threatening arrest without legal basis, she should file a complaint with the department.
Re: Accusation of Theft by Taking of Gum Ball Machine Not Authorized in Building
The gum ball machine has been missing for at least a decade?