What Not to Do When You Find an Ipad

Last month, a Fullerton police officer has been put on paid administrative leave after she was arrested on suspicion of theft a Miami airport.

Kelly Janeth Mejia, 25, was arrested for theft of an iPad which was apparently the property of another traveler. She was caught on video tape and was detained and questioned after the traveler informed the security personal that her iPad was missing.  She has been with the Fullerton Police Department for almost  six years.

Have you Ever Found Property that Did Not Belong to You? What Should You Do With It?

Usually that depends on what it is and where you found it.  When a person loses an item in a public place such as an airport, grocery store or library, the best thing to do is to report the item missing to the proper authorities. If after a period of time, no one claims the item, then it is possible to have a claim for it.

In California, under penal code section 484 (a), you can be charged with petty theft form taking property owned by someone else.

What Must be Proven in Order to be Convicted of Theft

To prove that you are guilty of this crime, the People must prove that:

1. You took possession of property owned by someone else;
2. You took the property without the owner’s consent;
3. You had intended to deprive the owner of it permanently or to remove it from the owner’s possession for an extended a period of time such that the owner would be deprived of a major portion of the value or enjoyment of the property;     and
4. You moved the property, and kept it for any period of time, however brief.

If you or a loved one is facing a theft charge, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. We will meet with you immediately to review the facts of your case, and plan a defense strategy that will help you get the very best outcome possible.

With offices located in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Orange County, San Diego,
Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney available to help you no matter where you work or live.

Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.