Roommate Accused Me of Stealing Her Laptop; Filed a Police Report
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Ohio
I just graduated from nursing school and moved out from my old apartment to another state for work.
My old roommate is still staying at the apartment for another month.
I basically just moved out over the past several days. I moved everything myself one car load at a time because I gave away all my furniture and only had small personal items.
2 days ago, I got a call from my roommate claiming that I stole her Macbook.
I am shocked. I haven't even seen her over the past several days because her work schedule.
I mean at this point I don't even know if her laptop is really missing because we do live in a luxury condo and I always keep the front door locked. The cops are welcome to come search my new apartment but it would be a pain in the butt to have to take time off from work and deal with this when I live in another state.
Is there anything that I can do at this point?
How do I proceed to prove my innocence?
What will be the legal procedures for crimes accused out of state? How should I go about this?
More importantly, can they just issue a warrant of arrest and not try to contact me out-of-state?! It would be horrible if I apply to another hospital job in the future and a warrant of arrest for something I've never done pops up during background check ......
PS:
The only evidence I have is a video I shot of myself walking around the apartment on my last day there right before I leave. I shot it because I want to show the landlord that I at least cleared my room and the living room and kitchen were in good condition (I am the primary renter and my roommate isn't even on the lease. She is super messy and I have no control over what she will do to the place this month). That video has a glimpse of her laptop sitting in the living
Re: Roommate Accused Me of Stealing Her Laptop; Filed a Police Report
Gotta ask, what was the reason for shooting a video? Perchance to establish the laptop as being in the abode? That in and of itself may prove more damaging than helpful.....shows that you and the laptop were together and alone during the final moments of your occupancy.
If I was in that sorta situation I would've taken the logical step of having the landlord personally inspect the place as the last thing after moving all my belongings out. Maybe the second to the last thing. The last thing would've been to hand him/her my key(s), then drive off into the sunset. Of course, if available, I would've had my roomie there also. But that's just me.
The police can, and possibly will, issue a warrant if an investigation reasonably shows that you are the most likely suspect. Or rather, the prosecuting attorney's will issue the warrant.
That will be after an investigation is accomplished and it points to you being responsible for the laptop's disappearance.
The "luxury condo" premise is not germane to your contention that you are not responsible for the laptop going missing. Whether it be a trailerpark or Buckingham Palace, it's simply not relevant.
However, you moving out-of-state may give investigators a cause for pause. Sorta lends itself to a 'they can't touch me 'cause I'm outta state' theory.
Re: Roommate Accused Me of Stealing Her Laptop; Filed a Police Report
Reason I shot the video is that in case the roommate made a mess in the apartment and cause me my deposit. I can at least use it as an evidence for small claims. It mostly shows videos of my own room and the common space. I spent hours cleaning up after the roommate and I even told her to try keep it up for 1 month so I can get my deposit back.
I finished moving out on Friday at night. Landlord wasn't even picking up his phone and I had to be in the other state the next day. I even called my roommate several times that night but she never picked up (in fact, multiple times over the past several days). Part of the reason I believe is that she seems reluctant to pay for last month's rent. So she has been staying at her BF's place and not picking up. It happened in the past as well. At one point, she owned 4 months worth of rent.
Is there anything else that I can do at this point? I mean basically all I did was move out and I strongly believe that she still has possession of her laptop.
How will they contact me if I am out-of-state?
Can I use character reference from my supervisors?
I seriously think this is unfair that they are putting out an arrest warrant on me based on just one person's accusation.
Re: Roommate Accused Me of Stealing Her Laptop; Filed a Police Report
Actually, when we moved into and out of our Florida apartment, we took photos. The first to show the scratches on the flooring and the bad cabinet existed. The second to show we left everything as it has been, cleaned and vacuumed, etc.