Legal Maneuvers: Thieves Contend for Lesser Charges, Citing Stolen Goods on Sale 2024-11-08 08:55:25
In a legal twist, two thieves attempted to lighten their potential sentences by arguing that the items they pilfered from a Kohl's store were on sale. The district attorney's office for Colorado's Judicial District 18, encompassing Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln counties, revealed that the defense attorneys for Michael Green, 50, and Byron Bolden, 37, contended that their clients should face reduced charges because some stolen items were discounted. However, the jury ultimately convicted the duo of felony theft rather than the sought-after misdemeanor charge, according to a Tuesday statement.
Dubbed the "KitchenAid Mixer Crew" by Kohl's employees, the thieves specialized in targeting the upscale kitchen appliances, with a single KitchenAid stand mixer retailing for $499 at Kohl's, though currently discounted at $350. Their loot extended beyond kitchen gadgets, encompassing brand-name shoes and clothing.
This conviction occurs against the backdrop of retailers claiming to be besieged by organized groups of shoplifters. Target, for instance, attributed the closure of nine stores to an uptick in theft. Yet, industry groups have recently revised their reports, retracting earlier claims that half of the $94.5 billion in missing merchandise was due to organized retail crime. Nevertheless, the problem of shoplifting remains a significant concern for retailers.
The documented value of the stolen items in the Colorado case amounted to about $2,095. Under Colorado law, theft between $2,000 to $5,000 qualifies as a Class A felony, while theft under $2,000 is considered a misdemeanor. Green and Bolden's defense leaned on the latter charge, citing the discounted prices of the stolen items. Deputy DA Sherri Giger emphasized the consequences of retail theft, highlighting store closures and price increases for customers.
"Retail theft is not a victimless crime," Giger stated, underscoring the potential risks to employees and customers when confronting thieves, some potentially armed. Earlier this month, a tragic incident at a Macy's in Philadelphia resulted in the death of a security guard who confronted an alleged shoplifter attempting to steal hats.
Despite pleading not guilty, Green received a 15-month prison sentence, while Bolden was handed a 90-day jail term, according to the DA's office. The case underscores the complexities surrounding retail theft and the legal nuances that come into play when thieves attempt to justify their actions based on the perceived value of stolen goods.
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