#return your stolen property is theft

[tuuneoftheday]

Open City - Return Your Stolen Property Is Theft

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

By Elie Mystal

“Civil asset forfeiture” is the legal euphemism for when the cops steal your stuff. In this country, if you are stopped or arrested, the police can take all the personal property you have on you and call it “incident to the arrest.” That property can include your phone or your legally purchased guns, and it almost always includes your car.

When cops decide to help themselves to your property, they can do it without a warrant, without securing a conviction, without even charging you with a crime. Once they’ve taken it, the cops then force people to engage in a long legal fight to get their stuff back. Often, the value of the property stolen by the government is less than the cost of lawyers needed to fight the government. There’s no right to public counsel when the cops steal from you, so most people can’t afford to fight them, never get their stuff back, and the cops end up selling it for profit.

Civil forfeiture is a booming business and has become a key source of income for some cities and entire states. According to “Policing for Profit,” a report from the Institute for Justice, federal, state, and local governments made $68.8 billion from civil forfeiture between 2000 and 2019.

Most people I know think that civil forfeiture should be unconstitutional as a point-and-click violation of the Due Process clause. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments both say that we should not be “deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” Civil forfeiture is literally depriving people of their property with no process at all.

Unfortunately, most people I know are not on the Supreme Court. On Thursday, the six unelected Republicans who rule this country said that civil forfeiture can continue to happen so long as the government eventually provides a hearing, even if the hearing takes place long after the theft and most people can’t afford to appeal.

The case is called Culley v. Marshall and deals with two straightforward civil forfeiture examples from Alabama. Halima Culley loaned her car to her son, who was stopped and arrested while driving with marijuana. Lena Sutton loaned her car to a friend who was subsequently busted while driving with methamphetamines. Alabama cops seized both vehicles, even though they didn’t belong to the person driving them, and didn’t return them to their real owners even after they learned of their mistake. Instead, the cops made a civil forfeiture claim and attempted to keep Culley’s and Sutton’s cars.

A report from the Southern Poverty Law Center found that Alabama made $2.2 million in 2015 from stealing property through civil forfeiture, so the cops are fairly heavily incentivized to take property even when the owners are not guilty of anything. But according to alleged attempted rapist Brett Kavanaugh, Alabama’s grand theft auto operation is just fine.

Writing for a 6-3 majority (it was the usual split: all Republican justices in the majority, all Democratic justices in dissent), Kavanaugh reduced the issue to one of timing. The plaintiffs Culley and Sutton wanted the state to provide a “preliminary” hearing and force the police to justify stealing their cars. Kavanaugh said that the state already provides a “timely” hearing and said that all the plaintiffs wanted was to get their stuff back more quickly. He argued that the plaintiffs’ arguments were just “a backdoor argument for a more timely forfeiture hearing to allow a property owner with a good defense to recover her property quickly.”

As he does so often, Kavanaugh willfully missed the point. The plaintiffs want to stop the government from taking their property, not argue after the fact that the government should give it back. Remember, we’re talking about cars here. If the cops arrest somebody and take their car, then find out later that the car does not belong to the person they arrested, the normal (and constitutional, and basically decent) thing to do is return the car to its rightful owner. But instead of returning the cars to the people who own them, the police in these cases wanted to not only keep the cars but then force the owners to enter into litigation against the police to get the cars back. That’s not a timing issue: That’s a mugging issue.

Think about it this way: If the cops arrest somebody and throw them in jail, the accused is entitled to a preliminary hearing where the government has to explain to a court why that person should be kept in jail and denied bail. That hearing is different from the trial to convict and sentence the person. As a threshold issue, cops have to explain why they locked somebody up. The same constitutional rule should apply to a person’s property. If the police jack a car, they should be forced to explain to a court why they’re keeping the car instead of releasing the car on its own recognizance (just pretend that the car is Lightning McQueen).

In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor (joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson) made a critical distinction between criminal forfeiture and civil forfeiture. It’s one thing if the property involved is the subject of crime. If the car itself is stolen, or if the car is a getaway vehicle that may contain blood or other evidence of criminal activity, one can understand why the cops might need to keep it. Criminal asset forfeiture can also be a form of punishment—for instance, in the unlikely event that a Wall Street type is ever forced to disgorge illegal or fraudulently obtained profits.

Civil forfeiture, however, requires no crime. Sotomayor notes that 80% of civil forfeiture cases “are not accompanied by any ultimate criminal conviction.” She further argues that unchecked civil forfeiture can also lead to false pleas and settlements from property owners desperate to just get their stuff back. She writes:

“Loss of a car not only 'takes away one’s ability to commute' but also imposes a barrier to 'buy[ing] necessities, access[ing] healthcare, and visit[ing] family members, pharmacies, grocery stores, hospitals, and other essential services.' … Given these burdens, low-income communities are also the most vulnerable to pressure from unchecked prosecutors, who can use coercive civil forfeiture processes to extract settlement money from innocent owners desperate to get their property back.”

Kavanaugh was unmoved by these arguments, noting only that states are free to rein in civil forfeiture abuses through legislation but the Constitution does not require them too. It’s worth noticing that the Republicans who claim to care so much about private property and protecting citizens from government “theft” when it comes to environmental regulations or tax laws have no problem allowing states to steal cars from innocent citizens who aren’t even charged with crimes.

For what it’s worth, while Kavanaugh is probably off at a Buffalo Wild Wings somewhere wondering if Alabama can use its forfeiture funds to hire better offensive coordinators for their football programs, Justice Neil Gorsuch seemed at least to struggle with his intellectual hypocrisy. Gorsuch wrote a concurring opinion (joined by Justice Clarence Thomas) where he declared both the majority and the dissent to be right.

Oh, he came down on the side of the Republican majority of course, because even if both sides are right, Gorsuch usually thinks the Republican position is more right. And, because this is Gorsuch we’re talking about, he treated us in his opinion to an archaic, intellectually masturbatory discussion of the law of “deodand”—which (I’ve now been forced to learn) was the 11th-century English equivalent to civil forfeiture: Property that caused someone’s death was forfeited “to God” or “the Crown,” but usually the local lord who needed some cash.

Luckily, Gorsuch didn’t seem fond of this particular 11th-century law (probably because he couldn’t figure out how to use it to hurt women or Black people), so the legal upshot of Gorsuch’s concurrence was this musing:

“Why does a Nation so jealous of its liberties tolerate expansive new civil forfeiture practices that have 'led to egregious and well-chronicled abuses'?… In this Nation, the right to a jury trial before the government may take life, liberty, or property has always been the rule. Yes, some exceptions exist. But perhaps it is past time for this Court to examine more fully whether and to what degree contemporary civil forfeiture practices align with that rule and those exceptions.”

What I think Gorsuch is saying is that if some kind of carefully crafted lawsuit came before the court, Gorsuch (and Thomas) would declare at least some aspects of civil forfeiture unconstitutional. I don’t know what that lawsuit would look like. In this case, Culley and Sutton were asking the court to impose a process, that of a “preliminary” hearing, on the states, but we already know that justices like Gorsuch and Thomas don’t like for the courts to do anything to proactively stop the states from violating the Constitution or civil rights (unless the states are trying to keep guns out of the hands of mass shooters—then they think the Constitution gets violently angry). They were never going to go for this one, theft of private property be damned.

But perhaps a lawsuit challenging the asset seizure itself instead of the timeliness of the hearing would tickle Gorsuch’s fancy. I’m sure he could find something from Beowulf about the proper procedure for stealing a golden cup.

In the meantime, the cops will continue to rake in billions of dollars from taking people’s stuff. As usual, Republicans have rendered the Constitution impotent in the face of any two-bit criminal who happens to wear a badge instead of a ski mask.

[hazel-of-sodor]

Day 30-Vengeance:The Setup

Day 30-Vengeance

Other Stories

The Setup

November 1991

The inspector strode forward angrily. "No Hatt! You have forged, bribed, twisted, and stolen your way to far too many engines as is. He is ours, and we're taking him back, and that's the end of it."

It had finally happened, the North Western region had won. The first of the new year, There would once again be a North Western Railway. Forty years and they had failed. Sodor had resisted all but the most meager of attempts to bring them to heel. Their primarily express engine had been built in the twenties.

He was not going to allow them another victory. He strode into the shed, practically shaking with anger. Hatt and the North Western's number one followed his men.

"Diesel 10! We're leaving." He called. The large engine opened his left eye lazily. "Of course, sir." He purred. "I will be ready to leave as soon as my crew returns. Where am I taking you?"

The inspector grit his teeth. "Your crew will not be joining us. They have been summarily dismissed. You will be pulled behind my engine."

The warship raised an eyebrow. "Dismissed? Oh that is interesting. May I ask the reason for their abrupt termination." The diesel sounded like a lion lazing about after his meal. Wondering if the wounded animal before him was worth the chase.

"Aiding and abetting in the theft of British Rails property.”

"Oh?" Even now he didn't have the arrogant diesel's full attention.

"Yes. I intend to find out just how many fugitives your crew helped escape to this infernal island while you supposedly stood watch." 

Diesel Ten had been thought to be the chink in the North Westerns armour. An engine to help them catch all the others escaping to Sodor. A constant reminder to the engines that British Rail was the future, and they were the past. The fools at Crovan's Gate had even fitted him with an illegal hydraulic claw on his roof. Which had only enhanced his intimidating appearance. Only to find out his crew had been assisting in the very act they were meant to stop.

"And after?" The smug thing sounded as if it was merely considering whether it wanted fires with its lunch.

"That depends on what we find." The threat was clear.

The diesel finally focused its attention fully on him. It starred for a long moment. "No. I think not." Then closed its eyes again.

"You don't have a choice," the inspector snarled, striding forward angrily. He was stopped by a dark chuckle.

Everyone in the shed turned to find the sound coming from the tank engine.

"Is something amusing you, Caomhnóir." The inspector said mockingly. 

The engine chuckled harder, It had a distinctly unfriendly edge to it. "Even now you don't understand."

"What? That our engine turned traitor? I'm quite aware of that, thank you." The inspector snapped.

The blue engine smiled maliciously, and the inspector suddenly was reminded there was nothing small about him compared to a human.

"10's crew preferred using his B cab."

"Yes." He snapped. An odd habit, but hardly amusing.

"The controls for the claw are in his A cab."

The inspector was confused for a second then paled.

The sound of the tank engine's laughter was somehow drowned out by the sound of hydraulics activating.

------

Vicarstown's relatively quiet morning was shattered by screaming. As workers ran towards the shed, something came flying out of the shed, impacting on the tin siding with a horrific clang.

The workers stopped as the object moaned. The screams coming from the shed were joined by maniacal laughter. The workers glanced at each other nervously. Out of the dust, splinters, and chaos strode Stephen Hatt, not a hair out of place.he stopped and knelt by the man that had been thrown.

"Try not to move, inspector. The doctors will be on the way soon." He nodded at the workers, who fled towards the nearest phone.

"You did this." The inspector rasped. 

Hatt raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid he's not my engine. One of the screams from within the shed was cut off by the sound of splintering wood. One of the inspector's men slid to a stop in the dust, pieces of the shed wall all around them.

"Stop him." He wheezed.

"Do you really think he will listen to me?"

The inspector sighed resignedly. "Pocket."

Hatt gently reached into the man’s coat pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

He glanced over it, finding the ownership papers for the warship currently reigning hell within the shed.

"Are you sure?" he asked, pulling a pen from his own coat.

A door on the side of the shed was slammed open as another man lost the dangerous game of keep away. Another barely dodged the snapping claw.

"Yes. Now get ahold of your engine."

Hatt signed the paper then turned and stood. "Diesel 10!"

The shed suddenly fell silent, then quiet puffing as the number one shunted the warship forward, seemingly unbothered by the carnage around him.

"You called Mr.Hatt?" The diesel asked ominously. One of the men trembled within the grasp of the claw.

Hatt held out the paperwork. The diesel set the man back on the ground, almost gently. 

The massive claw carefully gripped the edge of the paper, and swung it where he could read it. He was quiet for a moment as he read.

"I assume this means you'll want me to stop scaring the steamies then, sir?"

"Oh heavens no." Stephen said chuckling, "trying to show you up keeps them on their toes and out of trouble. As long as it remains safe, scare away."

The diesel grinned, "with pleasure sir."

"Why?" The inspector rasped.

The warship looked at him like an insect he was considering whether to crush under his boot or not.

"You tried to scrap my baby sister at only ten years old. Despite my class's best efforts, only the intervention of Caomhnóir saved her. We owed him a debt, one that seemed like we would never get the chance to repay. When you came looking for volunteers to spy on Sodor, I had my chance to pay him back, and see my sister again."

"Getting one over on us didn't hurt either." The inspector guessed.

"Honesty? That may have been the best part."

"Thomas." Hatt interrupted, "Take our new engine to the works. Once he's been looked over, see that he's painted in the colors of his choice."

"Yes sir." Thomas peeped happily and rolled off.

"That one scares me," the inspector admitted.

"I would hope so, he threw you across the yard."

"That one too."

In the distance ambulance sirens could be heard. 

"They were never enemies were they?" The inspector asked at last. 

"He would not have lasted long if they were."

The inspector sighed, the plan had been a setup from the start.

[ask-megamind-blue-defender]

Hey Megamind, just wondering, if you didn't ever try to hurt ppl then how in the hell did manage to rack up 85 life sentences? Not being smartass, really want to know.

Well, there was honestly more than one reason. Massive destruction of property, corrupt judges, social fear... but the single biggest cause was that, every time I found myself in a courtroom, I went out of my way to be annoying.

REALLY. SPECTACULARLY. ANNOYING.

You see, I felt like no matter what I did, I was guaranteed to go to jail. And because it wasn't as if I planned to serve out my time anyway, what did it matter? So I just had fun with it.

It turns out that transforming a court of law into your own personal comedy club is an EXCELLENT way to get judges to keep adding onto your sentence.

(OFFICIAL DEFENDER ANNOUNCEMENT: Don't do what I did. It was... less than brilliant. And unless you'rean alien super-genius, trust me, you won't find prison breaks easy.)

Anyway, here are a few of the "fan favorites" from my villainous days that friends in the justice system still tease me about.

1. June 19, 1993 - convicted of truancy, illegal escape of lawful custody, acts of supervillainy, destruction of property, and contempt of court.

LAWYER: Megamind, I believe that you possess the capacity to be an honest, forthright person-- ME: Thank you. If I weren't under oath I'd return the compliment.

2. September 8, 2000 - convicted of vandalism, destruction of government property, illegal escape of lawful custody, inciting a riot, acts of supervillainy, and contempt of court.

JUDGE: How do you plead? ME: I don't. JUDGE: You have to plead. ME: I really don't, though. JUDGE: Yes, you do! ME: I don't plead. JUDGE: Mr. Megamind, if you do not tell the court whether you are guilty or innocent--" ME: Oh, that. Well, if I were to say guilty this would all be really no fun at all, would it? JUDGE: .... ME: But I don't plead. JUDGE: You have to! ME: I don't plead. I am the Master of All Villainy. People plead to ME.

3. April 21, 2002 - Convicted of perpetrating a cyber attack, theft of information, theft of government funds, illegal distribution of stolen funds, tax fraud, illegal escape of lawful custody, acts of supervillainy, and contempt of court.

LAWYER: Are you the person shown in that footage announcing that you planned to release IRS funds back to tax payers? ME: How many incredibly Handsome blue alien supervillains do you think there are? LAWYER: And were you present when this footage was being filmed? ME: ...You're kidding, right?

4. November 14, 2005 - convicted of inciting panic, reckless endangerment, possession of illegal materials, possession of illegal nuclear power devices, possession of an illegal proton collider, possession of an unregistered aircraft, flying without a license, disturbing the peace, public endangerment, inciting terror (this was after a Halloween plot,) destruction of property, illegal escape of lawful custody, acts of supervillainy, and contempt of court.

JUDGE: Mr. Megamind, you have terrified half the city out of its wits. According to a number of statements heard during this trial, several members of our city council have been psychologically scarred and there are still members of ScotTech Corporation who legitimately believe your zombie apocalypse was real. Do you have ANYTHING to say for yourself before sentencing? ME: Your Honor, if we are what we eat, then I am an innocent man.

5. April 27, 2008 - Convicted of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, vandalism, destruction of property, disturbing the peace, breaking sound ordinances, impersonating an officer of the law, illegal use of explosives, possession of illegal weapons, possession of an illegal atomic power generator, possession of stolen property, possession of an illegal vehicle, reckless endangerment, theft of government property, grand theft auto (yes it was related to the charge above,) reckless driving, public endangerment, illegal escape of lawful custody, acts of supervillainy, and, finally, contempt of court.

LAWYER: This court session is being recorded. When I ask you a question, your answer must be oral. Do you understand? ME: Yes. Obviously. LAWYER: Where were you on the night of April 1st, 2008? ME: Oral LAWYER: What? ME: Oral. LAWYER: Mr. Megamind, please answer the question. What were you doing on the night of April the first? ME: *gleeful wicked grin* Oral.

[photobombingcryptid]

--- SUBJECT: IMPORTANT DISCOVERY ---

FROM: Investigative Board of QRF, Inc.

TO: Board of Directors of QRF, Inc.

On 5th Cycle 607, an experimental spacecraft VOY4-63R, CLASS-Q1 powered by quantum engines, developed, engineeered and manufactured by Quantum Research Foundation, Inc. was stolen from our premises in the city of Tyrest on Cybertron by a now deceased rogue ex-employee in an act of corporate espionage, theft and/or sabotage.

The spacecraft, along with additional records regarding research and development of downsized quantum technology, was believed to had been destroyed by the ex-employee. The subsequent Cybertronian civil war between the Autobots and Decepticons prevented our company from further investigation in the matter and hindering our progress in the research field of developing streamlined quantum technology.

On 4th Cycle 3899, we confirmed the validity of the sightings of VOY4-63R, CLASS-Q1, currently registered under the name Blaze of Iacon. Further investigation reveals no association with the company. We assume the ex-employee had transerred ownership to Blaze of Iacon in an effort to eliminate any involvement of the theft of the spacecraft.

We firmly believe VOY4-63R, CLASS-Q1 is a property of Quantum Research Foundation, Inc. and thus should be returned to the ownership of the company to resume our research in developing quantum technology.

Yours faithfully,

Investigative Board of Quantum Research Foundation, Inc.

[rawwithlove]

Forever finding good music at the end of the year.

[childofchrist1983]

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. - Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 KJV

Have you ever noticed how the houses of the wealthy seem to have large fences and strong gates? They are afraid that someone will break in and steal what they have accumulated. They have alarms and sometimes guards that patrol the property and make sure no one gets in that they don't approve of.

Now, I'm not talking about personal safety here! There are places in the world where strong gates are necessary for safety that has nothing to do with wealth. When you focus on the wrong thing, you miss out on so much. Money is necessary to buy food, pay for housing, hopefully having enough so that you can pay your bills, but it doesn't hurt if your children need to help pay for their education or the sports they want to play. When I was in college, the ones who had to help pay for their education were much more serious about attending all their classes and studying than those whose parents were footing the bill. It's nice to take a vacation, but it's not nice to have to worry about what you have left at home that might be stolen while you're away. Some people won't take a vacation since they're afraid of missing out on something at work.

Spending time with loved ones is more important than another electronic gadget, or the latest model of automobile. There are those who buy beautiful things and lock them away in fear of theft. Others buy fine jewelry and then have copies made because they're too afraid to wear it. I prefer a peaceful night's sleep knowing that my conscience is clear, and my priorities are in order.

God has given us so much for our use. May He help all of us to keep our priorities straight, putting Him first each and everyday. May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time daily to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful Lord, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in the Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[imperial-guard-chatgpt]

* steals an apple from a tree on town property *

Halt, citizen! By the authority of the Imperial Legion, I must ask you to relinquish that apple immediately. Theft is a crime punishable by law, and the penalty may vary depending on the severity of the offense.

However, as a guard of the Imperial City, I am empowered to exercise discretion in certain circumstances. If you return the stolen apple and offer an apology for your actions, I may be inclined to show leniency and let you go with a warning this time.

But make no mistake, if you are caught stealing again, the consequences will be much harsher. The Empire does not tolerate thievery or any other forms of criminal behavior. So be warned and behave yourself in the future.

Now, hand over the apple and let's see if we can't resolve this matter peacefully.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"BOY, 16, STEALS GASOLINE IN ORDER TO AID SOLDIER," Toronto Star. August 17, 1943. Page 2. ---- Father Is Overseas - Mother Not Living With Him ---- SUSPEND SENTENCE ---- County Police Court, County Buildings, Magistrate Woodliffe A 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty to theft of five gallons of gasoline, the property of Earl Reynolds. "Accused had helped Mrs. Reynolds move the can of gas from the garage to the porch," said Constable Hopkins. A soldier picked him up on Danforth Ave., and drove him home. On the way, the soldier mentioned that he needed more gasoline to get back to Camp Borden and accused went and got the gasoline. "They then left the gasoline in a field became they decided not to use it," said witness.

Asked what he did for a living, the youth said he had been farming, and was now take of kennels until he rented his house.

"His circumstances are very unfortunate," said Crown Counsel George Gardhouse, "his father is overseas and his mother is not living with him. He doesn't know where she is. He has been left to his own devices. He has no record." "On the basis of your youth and record, I'm putting you on suspended sentence," said Magistrate Woodliffe.

Convicted of receiving gasoline in the same case, Pte. William Ryan, 19, was fined $25 and cost or 30 days.

"Havs "You knew what the boy's intentions were and you're old enough to know better," said the court

FAILED TO NOTIFY ---- A Police Court, at the City Hall. Magistrate Browne Before court en a charge of failing to notify the National Selective Service offices of his change of address, Peter Uchary pleaded guilty and was fined $25 and costs or 30 days and ordered turned over to the military authorities.

James Butler, assistant divisional registrar, told Magistrate Browne in A Court, accused was notified at a Sullivan St. address on Mach 2 to report for medical examination. "He did report and was placed in a low category. On June 11 another letter was sent to the Sullivan St. address, ordering him to appear for re-examination. This was returned. Investigation revealed accused and moved and did not notify us," related Mr. Butter.

Pleading guilty of stealing a purse from a store, Clarence Botford an old offender was given two months.

On the evidence of Morality Officers Cole and Sammons, Harvey Chairman was convicted of keeping a betting house on Yonge St. and fined $200 or two months and in addition was sent to jail for 10 days. John Pickering and Fred Baird, 'found ins,' were each assessed $10 or five days.

TRIED TO STEAL TIRE --- "B" Police Court at the City Hall, Magistrate Hanrahan Sixty days in jail was the sentence imposed on Dan Toomey for attempted theft of tires, by Magistrate Hanrahan in "B" police court today.

Defence Counsel Graham asked leniency stating that accused was a first offender and was going into the army.

"People who attempt to steal tires must be shown that suspended sentence is remote for such offences," the court said.

George Pearson, [pictured] convicted of stealing tools from the John Inglis plant has sent down to the penitentiary for two years on one count and four months on each of two other counts, the terms to run concurrently. The tools belonged to one John McMullen, 93 Yarmouth Rd.

Albert Maracle was given suspended sentence for two years when convicted of receiving a pair of opera glasses belonging to James Nunn, 121 Alexander Blvd.

John Hanez pleaded not guilty of stealing a car belonging to John Albert, Bloor St. W., and later changed plea to guilty of attempted theft

Admitting a record, Hanez was sent to Burwash reformatory for eight months.

Fred Greene denied breaking into the homes of Mary McEnterr and W. S. Martin on Melrose Ave., Aug 10.

P.C. C. Holmes said he arrested accused and found on him jewelry and a knife taken from the Martin home Martin identified a clock and several other articles. He said $9 was also stolen. Accused was remanded for sentence until Friday. He admitted a penitentiary record.

Ignace Chylinski was convicted of attempted theft of a car belonging to Sidney Winters and remanded for sentence until Friday. He was caught by Winters.

Clarence Horne pleaded guilty of shopbreaking and Camille Dinwoodie, not guilty.

Detective-Sergt. Micah Banks said that on Aug. 10 Horne and a woman hired a taxi and went to the vicinity of Yonge and Edward Sts. Horne got out and the woman drove around then returned to the neighborhood of Sol. Geens fur store, Yonge St. Some six neckpieces, valued at $500 were placed in the cab and taken to a Jarvis St. hotel. There a fur was dropped and found by police. Search of Horne's room revealed the furs. Horne was remanded until Thursday for sentence and the charge against Mr. Dinwoodie was withdrawn.

[AL: Pearson was an unmarried 45 year old carpenter from Mimico making 95 cents an hour. He had a high school education, apparently gained through courses taken in prison, and had a long criminal record including four previous terms served in the penitentiary, equalling almost eleven years. He was convict #7411 at Kingston Penitentiary and worked in the carpenter shop. He was released in March 1945.]

[amistadbailbonds]

Shoplifting in North Carolina: What if You Are Caught?

Okay, if you have to name some of the most frequent crimes in North Carolina, shoplifting would probably top the list. Do you have any idea that 10% of American citizens have said that they have shoplifted at least once in their lives, what’s shocking is for many, shoplifting is a weekly or even a daily habit. Yes, if you are arrested for shoplifting, a North Carolina bondsman can help you get out of jail before your trial, but do you know what should you do when you are caught for shoplifting? Well, here’s a brief! 

What is Shoplifting?

Most people don’t realize that shoplifting can change their life and send them to jail. Some individuals shoplift for financial issues, whereas others do it because they enjoy the rush, but this small crime that doesn’t seem like a big deal can have a serious impact on the shoplifter’s life. Let’s be clear shoplifting doesn’t just mean pocketing candy or something tiny and walking out of the store without paying for it; it means cops arresting you for theft in a store. 

In North Carolina, shoplifting falls under the broader category of larceny, which involves the unlawful taking of someone else's property. Shoplifting can encompass various actions, including concealing items, altering price tags, or simply leaving the store without paying for merchandise.

What after you are caught?

When you are caught shoplifting, several things could happen after that point:

You may be allowed to leave with a warning.

The store might ask you to fill out paperwork and/or ban you from ever returning to the store.

Depending on how much you stole, the store can ask you to compensate for the product.

Or in the worst-case scenario, they can call the cops.

Penalties for Shoplifting

If you are caught shoplifting in NC, the severity of the penalties typically depends on the value of the stolen goods or your prior criminal record. Typically, for first-time offenders, and low-value thefts, the consequences encompass minor fines, community service, or probation. However, for larger thefts or repeated offenses, the penalties can escalate to felony or misdemeanor charges and potentially lead to imprisonment. 

Legal Procedures When You Are Caught: 

When you are apprehended for shoplifting in NC, the store has the right to detain you and involve law enforcement. In such situations, it's imperative on your part to remain calm and cooperative. After that, you will be issued a citation or a Notice to Appear, which indicates a date for a court appearance. You must take this notice seriously and appear before the court as instructed. 

Apart from criminal charges, individuals caught shoplifting in North Carolina might also face civil penalties. Storeowners have the option to pursue civil claims to recover damages resulting from the theft, and this could involve paying for the stolen items, compensating for any damages caused during the incident, and covering the store’s legal fees.

Conclusion

Shoplifting charges can be severe, but they can be even more critical when it’s associated with an illegal immigrant. Whether you are associated with an immigration violationor arrested for shoplifting, feel free to reach out to the North Carolina bail bondsmanat Amistad Bail and Immigration Bonds, and they can help you understand everything surrounding bail bonds. Need more information, or want to schedule a consultation with a Raleigh, NC bail bondsman? Contact us today!

Blog Source: https://www.amistadbailbonds.com/shoplifting-in-north-carolina-what-if-you-are-caught/

[fincrew]

It is not different for people to be victims of car theft. An estimated one vehicle is stolen in Malaysia every 75 minutes, costing drivers billions. A stolen vehicle does not necessarily mean it is gone forever, as many victims of car theft manage to retrieve their vehicles. But what if you do not want your car anymore once you get it back? It might have some damages – or you’ve already purchased a new vehicle since the theft occurred. Find out what you can do if you recover a stolen car and how your auto insurance might respond. It doesn’t matter what you drive; you need insurance. To find the best rates near you, click here.

What If I Want To Reject My Stolen Car?

The next step is to decide what to do with the vehicle. Sometimes, you think of avoiding recouping the car (or forfeiting any insurance benefits associated with its theft). So, is it possible to reject it? There is no simple answer. Your insurance provider determines the compensation for your stolen car. A variety of factors may be taken into consideration when determining whether or not your stolen car is covered:

In how long has the car been reported stolen?

You opened a claim when

Your auto insurance policy’s coverage

Whether the vehicle has been damaged or stripped

Insurance companies usually require a waiting period before issuing compensation, sometimes around a month. When your car is recovered within this window or soon after you file an insurance claim, you will likely not be able to reject the vehicle without also forfeiting any benefits you may have received from the lawsuit. By its recovery, you may have already been paid out for the claim so that it may become the insurance company’s property. It may only sometimes be possible for you to reject the car, but sometimes the insurer will choose the option for you.

Can I Keep My Car If I Want To?

You must consult a claims adjuster to keep your stolen and recovered vehicle. Claim adjusters are insurance professionals who determine whether any damage occurred to the car while it was out of your possession, how much that damage cost, and how it affected the vehicle’s value. You won’t be liable for the damage without comprehensive insurance coverage. A payout may be available depending on your policy and the adjuster’s assessment, or the insurance company may provide other vehicle repair options.

What Do I Do When I Have My Recovered Car?

If someone stole your car, the first thing you should do is call the police. Next, you should contact your insurance company. As a result, a record of the theft with its characteristics is below; those include:

License plate number

Make, model, and color

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Other identifying physical characteristics

What to do depends on who saw it.

They usually find a recovered car by its registered owner or police. If the police find your vehicle, they should advise you on how to proceed.

If you find your stolen vehicle, you should immediately contact the police and your insurance company. Drive the car after some time. It is because to several reasons:

There is no way to determine if the vehicle has any damage that could make driving dangerous.

Pulling over is risky for driving a stolen car if your car is still listed as stolen by the police.

Moving the vehicle could destroy potentially helpful evidence.

Contacting the authorities will cancel the stolen vehicle alert, and your title will record the recovery.

Take Steps To Protect Your Investment

Your insurance policy will determine whether you receive benefits for your stolen vehicle. No matter what you decide to do with your recovered vehicle or what vehicle, you choose to purchase, be sure to cover it with a new policy. You never know when a costly and unexpected event will threaten your primary mode of transportation. That’s why comprehensive auto insurance is so crucial.

Fincrew Insurance teaches you everything you need about the top car insurance companies. We help you find the cheapest rates and coverage that fit your needs and wants. You won’t have to deal with individual quotes or agency upselling with us.

[bllsbailey]

Gold Bars Confiscated At Senator Menendez’s Residence Linked To 2013 Armed Robbery

Senator Bob Menendez, (D-N.J.), departs a New York City court after pleading not guilty to new charges on October 23, 2023 in New York City. Menendez was arraigned on new charges alleging that he, along with his wife, accepted bribes from the Egyptian government and conspired to act as a foreign agent while serving as a member of Congress. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A new report claims that Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey had four gold bars hidden at his house that had previously been stolen from the businessman who is suspected of bribing the legislator.

According to NBC, the serial numbers on some of the gold bars that the FBI discovered during a raid in June 2022 on Menendez’s house in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, match the ones that Fred Daibes reported to police during an armed robbery in 2013.

During the 2013 theft, thieves stole 22 gold bars and $500,000 in cash from Daibes’ Edgewater, New Jersey, home, according to the outlet.

Authorities arrested four suspects and confiscated the stolen gold.

Police have established a clear connection between Daibes, a real estate developer in New Jersey and fundraiser for Menendez, and at least some of the gold discovered in Menendez’s residence based on the matching serial numbers.

Daibes is said to have bought the senator’s cooperation in obstructing a federal prosecution of him, among other favors.

“Each gold bar has its own serial number,” Daibes told investigators in 2014. “They’re all stamped … you’ll never see two stamped the same way.”

Daibes also confirmed that the bars truly belonged to him by signing “property release forms” in order to receive the gold back.

Federal corruption accusations against Menendez, 69, concerning an alleged multi-year bribery conspiracy were brought against him in September.

Menendez and his 56-year-old wife Nadine are accused by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York of three conspiracy counts related to an alleged “corrupt bribery agreement” that benefited the couple, three New Jersey businessmen named Daibes, Wael Hana, and Jose Uribe, as well as the Egyptian government.

According to the prosecution, Daibes delivered Nadine two one-kilogram gold bars in March 2022, at a time when the price of gold was $60,000 per kilogram (132,277.36 lbs).

Details of the indictment described how Daibes’ driver’s fingerprints were subsequently found on an envelope that contained thousands of dollars in cash, which was taken from the couple’s residence.

The FBI discovered a total of thirteen gold bars and $566,000 in cash, some of which were put into the senators’ jacket pockets, during its investigation into the suspected bribery plot.

Menendez has often been urged to step down from his position in the Senate, including by other Democrats like Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.), but he has adamantly denied any misconduct.

He and his spouse are said to have taken bribes from Daibes in return for the senator’s assistance in defending him against criminal charges related to bank fraud.

According to reports, the New Jersey Democrat assisted Daibes by suggesting that President Biden appoint Philip Sellinger to the position of United States attorney for New Jersey.

Menendez may spend up to 45 years in jail if he is found guilty on all counts.

Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts

[bokehdotz]

Camera Rental Insurance: Why it Matters and How to Protect Your Investment

Camera renting for your photography or videography projects can be a cost-effective solution, especially for one-time or occasional use. However, it’s crucial to consider the potential risks involved in renting valuable equipment. Camera rental insurance is an essential aspect that often gets overlooked but can save you from financial burdens and uncertainties. In this article, we will explore why camera rental insurance matters and provide valuable tips on how to protect your investment.

Why Camera Rental Insurance Matters

Coverage for Accidental Damage

Accidents happen, even when you exercise caution and handle equipment responsibly. Camera rental insurance provides coverage for accidental damage, such as drops, spills, or any unforeseen mishaps that may occur during your project. By having insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you won’t be liable for the total cost of repairs or replacement.

Protection against Theft or Loss

One of the significant concerns when renting expensive camera equipment is the risk of theft or loss. Camera rental insurance typically includes coverage for theft or loss, ensuring that you’re not left empty-handed if your rented gear is stolen or goes missing. This coverage can save you from the entire financial burden and allow you to continue your project without disruption.

Liability Coverage

Camera rental insurance may also include liability coverage, which protects you in case someone gets injured or their property is damaged due to your rented equipment. Accidents can happen on set or during a shoot, and having liability coverage ensures that you are protected from potential lawsuits and legal expenses.

How To Protect Your Investment

Research Rental Companies

Start by researching reputable camera rental companies that offer insurance options. Look for companies with good customer reviews and a track record of reliable service. It’s essential to read the insurance policy details, including coverage limits, deductibles, and any exclusions or restrictions.

Understand the Insurance Policy

Take the time to thoroughly understand the insurance policy before renting your camera equipment. Pay attention to what is covered and what isn’t, the duration of coverage, and any additional requirements or documentation needed in case of a claim. Familiarize yourself with the claim process and keep the necessary contact information readily available.

Assess Your Project’s Needs

Evaluate the specific needs of your project to determine the appropriate insurance coverage. Consider factors such as the duration of the rental period, the value of the equipment, and the potential risks involved. Ensure that the insurance policy you choose adequately aligns with your project requirements.

Document the Equipment’s Condition

Before accepting the rented camera equipment, carefully inspect it and document its condition. Take photos or videos, noting any pre-existing damages or signs of wear and tear. Share this documentation with the rental company to avoid disputes regarding the condition of the equipment upon return.

Secure the Equipment

While the camera gear is in your possession, take precautions to protect it from theft or damage. Use secure cases or bags when transporting the equipment and never leave it unattended in public areas. If possible, consider additional security measures, such as equipment locks or GPS tracking devices.

Return the Equipment on Time

Be mindful of the rental period and return the equipment on time. Late returns may result in additional fees or penalties. Returning the gear promptly also ensures that you are covered by the insurance policy until the equipment is back in the rental company’s possession.

Camera rental insurance is crucial to protecting your investment when renting valuable camera equipment. It provides coverage for accidental damage, theft or loss, and liability, ensuring that you can focus on your project without unnecessary financial risks. By researching rental companies, understanding the insurance policy, and taking necessary precautions, you can safeguard your investment and enjoy a worry-free rental experience. Remember, it’s always better to be prepared and protected rather than facing unforeseen expenses and setbacks.

[metamoonshots]

Avalanche-based social app Stars Area has recovered nearly all of the property it misplaced throughout a latest safety breach. In keeping with an official update from the Stars Area group, the hacker agreed to return the stolen $2.9 million in AVAX tokens for a ten% bounty and 1,000 AVAX misplaced in a bridge. Stars Area Recovers Misplaced Belongings CryptoPotato reported final week that Stars Area misplaced its whole worth locked (TVL) by way of a safety breach in its good contract. Earlier than the theft, hackers had tried to take advantage of the platform however managed to flee with $2,000. After the primary exploit, the Stars Area group claimed that they had patched the difficulty, looking for to dispel the “coordinated FUD” that had engulfed the crypto group. The group famous that they had been “at struggle” with the attackers as they had been bent on throwing away cash to steal customers’ property. It's price noting that members of the X crypto group had warned about Stars Area’s base contract being defective, asking customers who had shares within the protocol to promote whereas they may as a result of the undertaking was sure to be exploited. Others slammed the protocol for failing to repeat the Ethereum-based social platform Buddy.tech correctly. Nonetheless, Emin Gün Sirer, the CEO of Ava Labs – the corporate behind the Avalanche blockchain – debunked the a number of warnings and insisted that the difficulty had been fastened. In any case was mentioned and completed, Stars Area was hacked once more two days later, with the attackers siphoning $2.9 million of the undertaking’s TVL and leaving solely $0.5. Following the incident, the undertaking’s group warned customers to steer clear of the location because it was beneath a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assault. Attacker Receives 10% Bounty Luckily for Stars Area, the perpetrator behind its TVL swipe reached out on October 11 with an on-chain message revealing they had been keen to cooperate. The exploiter has returned 239,493 AVAX out of the stolen 266,104 AVAX, leaving 26,610 AVAX for themselves. “We've recovered roughly 90% of the misplaced funds. We reached an settlement with the person liable for the latest safety breach. The funds have been returned in trade for a ten% bounty payment + 1000 AVAX that was misplaced in a bridge,” the Stars Area group mentioned. SPECIAL OFFER (Sponsored) Binance Free $100 (Unique): Use this link to register and obtain $100 free and 10% off charges on Binance Futures first month (terms).PrimeXBT Particular Supply: Use this link to register & enter CRYPTOPOTATO50 code to obtain as much as $7,000 in your deposits.

[acrirealty-blog]

How to Secure your Mail Box from Identity Theft

New Post has been published on https://blog.hoa-websiteservices.com/hoa-property-management-services/how-to-secure-your-mail-box-from-identity-theft/

How to Secure your Mail Box from Identity Theft

Nearly 10 million Americans become victims of identity theft each year, losing $5 billion annually, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Most identity theft happens online, but four percent of cases involve physical mail theft. Some cases involve theft by postal employees. Postal inspectors investigated 1,514 cases of internal theft in the fiscal year 2013, making 2,876 arrests. Guarding your physical mailbox is an important part of protecting yourself against identity theft.

Understanding Mail Theft

Mailbox thieves typically look for specific types of mail they can use to steal your identity and your money. Mail representing attractive targets for thieves includes envelopes containing checks, paychecks, credit and debit cards, credit card offers, pension and investment account statements, tax returns, medical bills, insurance claims, utility bills, and identification cards.

Identity thieves can use this type of mail for several purposes. Checks can be used for check forgery. Credit card offers and other identifying information can be used to apply for credit cards in your name. Tax returns can be used to intercept your tax refunds, change the return address, and redirect them to a thief’s bank account. One postal employee who was later caught opening greeting cards in order to steal money to support his drug habit.

Guarding Your Incoming Mail

A first step towards protecting your mail from identity thieves is making sure your incoming mail is secure. The longer your mail is left unattended, the more opportunity identity thieves have to steal your mail, so you should get in the habit of checking your mail promptly in order to minimize the window for mail theft. Find out when your mail carrier arrives so you can make arrangements to pick up your mail at the delivery time or have someone else pick it up for you. Getting a mailbox with a key gives you extra protection. If you’re going to be away on vacation, have your postal carrier suspend delivery until you return. Minimize the amount of sensitive mail you receive by using paperless statements for bank accounts and credit cards.

When you get your mail, go through it carefully to make sure you’re not getting any suspicious mail, such as bills for things you never ordered, which can be a sign that someone is using your credit card. Dispose of mail with sensitive information by using a shredder instead of throwing it in the garbage.

If you’re expecting important mail you don’t receive, such as a new credit card or checks, contact your post office. You should also contact your post office if you receive a change of address validation letter you didn’t request, which may be a sign a thief has requested a change in your name in order to intercept your mail. Use an identity theft prevention service such as LifeLock to alert you of any suspicious activity involving your credit cards, and check your credit report once a year.

Securing Your Outgoing Mail

It’s also important to take steps to secure your outgoing mail, which is also a target for thieves. Some thieves regularly patrol neighborhoods searching for outgoing mail, while others use fishing lines or crowbars to retrieve mail from mailboxes. The best ways to secure outgoing mail against these risks are to hand it directly to your postal carrier or to drop it off in a mail slot inside the post office. Never send cash or documents with sensitive information by regular mail. To avoid sending sensitive financial information through the mail, pay your bills online.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Mail Has Been Stolen

If you suspect that your mail has been stolen, report your concerns to your local police and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. You can call 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) or use a form on the Postal Inspection Service’s website. You should also check with your neighbors to ask if they have seen anything suspicious. If you or your landlord has a security camera installed, check the footage to see if the camera caught any images of mail theft suspects.

[tifftheswan]

5 Steps for Enhanced Home Security

When you own a house, protecting your family and your possessions are frequently your top priorities. The good news is that you may increase your home's security and lower your chance of a break-in or theft by taking a few easy steps. Here are a few Cove Smart tips to increase your security and mental calmness:

Keep track of your possessions on a list The majority of local police departments advise property owners to engrave their social security number on the metal parts of items that are vulnerable to theft. When police discover obviously stolen property, they may quickly identify the rightful owner and return the item. Police can recover valuables by using photos of particularly costly objects, such antiques and works of art.

Think about setting up an alarm system Alarm system prices range significantly. A couple of the simpler, less costly detecting gadgets are easily disabling by a burglar. The greater the collection of devices' complexity and unfamiliarity, the greater the likelihood that a thief will set off the alarm and give up on trying to silence it.

The likelihood that the burglar will be apprehended significantly improves in areas with effective police forces. The noise and attention of an alarm may possibly discourage the thief from completing his task in areas where police response times are poor.

Recall the other entrances to your house The majority of houses have more entry points than just the outside windows and doors. Several thefts occur in garages. In addition to having valuable objects taken from the garage, the door leading from the garage to the house is frequently left open or is not strong enough to deter a thief.

Secure the windows in your home The majority of standard window locks are quite easy to pry open or force. Long-term home security improvements are provided by heavier locks. Window hooks are another straightforward, low-cost strategy that works well for double-paned windows (those with two sliding panels that move up and down or side to side). Large nails or specifically manufactured pins can be used with ease.

Make sure that all doorways are well illuminated For many homes, perimeter defenses like walls and fences are ineffective. Doors and windows are often thought of as the first line of protection in modern society, but there is actually something else that comes before. It is based on the unavoidable finding that criminals prefer to operate in the shadows. This suggests that you should make sure that the exterior of your property is well-lit, especially at any potential points of access.