To Catch a Thief
A stranger steals your personal property. Instead of reporting the theft to authorities, you confront the suspect yourself. Your possessions are returned. You bypass the inconvenience of a police investigation and court appearances, and the offender goes without punishment.
But did you also bypass a responsibility to work within the justice system?
A Florida newspaper reporter observed just such an extra-judicial bartering session between a victim and a thief at the scene of the crime, which, ironically, was a Tampa courtroom.
The victim—whom the reporter referred to as “Pinstripe Suit”—was 52 and in court for a case involving her son. She briefly stepped out of the courtroom, leaving her keys and cell phone behind. When she returned, the keys and phone were gone, and Pinstripe’s seat had been taken by a 25 year-old woman wearing a red velour sweatshirt.
“Red Velour Sweatshirt”, as the reporter dubbed her, denied having seen Pinstripe’s possessions. So Pinstripe walked to the back of the court room, borrowed a cell phone, dialed her own number, and followed the sound of her buzzing phone—in Sweatshirt’s pocket.
Pinstripe plucked the phone out of Sweatshirt’s pocket. Two sheriff’s deputies watched but did nothing.
According to the reporter, Pinstripe then leaned over Sweatshirt and whispered, “I am going to have you arrested if you don’t give me my keys.”
Sweatshirt replied, “I don’t have them.” Pinstripe then parked herself on the seat next to Sweatshirt and waited. And waited. Until finally Sweatshirt pulled a gold Lexus keychain from her other pocket. She dropped it into Pinstripe’s lap and said, “I have enough problems already.”
Noticing that Sweatshirt had started to cry, Pinstripe hugged her and said, “Everything will be all right. Bless your heart.”
Afterwards, Pinstripe told the reporter she didn’t turn Sweatshirt in because she didn’t want her to go to jail.
Sweatshirt already had one arrest for theft, at age 16. Now at 25, she was in court fighting her second arrest, a child abuse charge.
Tell us what you think: Did Pinstripe do a favor for Sweatshirt, or a favor for herself? Was this an act of kindness, a disservice to the justice system, or something else? In similar circumstances, what would you have done?
Add Comment Share This
Comments
Untitled
Ditto.
Dave Washburn | 1 year, 7 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
You all have to be kidding
This woman stole personal property IN A COURT ROOM. Do you think she has any idea of consequence, or does she think it doesn’t apply to her? Let me get this straight. I am sitting in a COURTROOM, and some one steals my personal property WHILE I AM IN A COURTROOM. This is not MY COURTROOM, it belongs to the citizens of the district in which it was built. DO I NOT HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THEM? Taking the law in your own hands is not a good idea. We are not talking about teaching children here, sweatshirt is in a courtroom facing child abuse issues. Do you think the judge presiding over this court would have had a stronger opinion of sweatshirt if he knew she was STEALING INSIDE THE COURTROOM? Hey, if this was a kid, maybe. But then, even that kid might need a little time in Juvie to straighten up, something at home isn’t right. For a citizen of this country to decide on matters of law which do and do not require intervention ESPECIALLY WHEN THE OFFENSE IS COMMITTED INSIDE A COURTROOM? That shows almost as much disrespect for the law as the actions of sweatshirt.
You have got to be kidding.
Hoyt Gregory | 1 year, 7 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Are you kidding me?
Dear Hoyt, I am in total agreement with you. This sweatshirt person should have been punished. She’s stealing in court! Oh my goodness! And Pinstripe gives her a break! I’m appalled that the cops didn’t say/do anything. Wait? I take that back. I’m not surprised actually. Most police officers will turn their backs on victims. I’ve seen it too many times! In fact, I have three teenage daughters whom I have taught self defense and “street smarts”. You see, I have too. No one is going to protect your kids from a beating, but your kids themselves. Ok…off on a tangent…sorry. Just a reminder to parents: be your kids’ best advocate! No one else will.
To Pinstripe: shame on you for not alerting the authorities! Sweatshirt is a bum and her kids deserve better. For those of you that think Pinstripe should “assist sweatshirt further”, are you kidding me right? Take her out for lunch and watch her steal your purse and car! This is the real world! Wake up people!
victoria hogan | 1 year, 7 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
My sister took my mothers home and money
My mother turned 88 in July and my sister got her name on my mother’s accounts and her home! Mother says she never signed anything that she forged her name somehow her husband I was told by my brother was in the Italian Mafia. I also know that she forged my son’s name to my granddaughter’s birth certificate because her mother had abandoned her and she wanted her and that was the only way she could get her mitts on her she was trying to sink my son somehow so she could take her away from him and she has just about done it! Now she is living the high life in a six bedroom home on a golf course in Cypress, Texas. And our mother would be in an old folk’s home or out in the street! What can we do?
Karen K. Babineaux | 1 year, 6 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
Justice not served?
“To be nice to another person, despite the fact that justice was not served, or to do what is technically, and legally “right”, but then cause possibly more harm?”
If Pinstripe got her things back, how was justice not served? I do not see how involving police would have helped the situation – arrest / court hearing / jail sentence / probation? Maybe it is time to look at the other side.
If this young woman had an arrest for theft, and now facing child abuse charges, maybe she needs / needed help, not another legal challenge. I am not saying that everything should be forgiven, but that we are so busy punishing each other these days. Maybe some assistance (education, support system, job search) be dollars better spent than punishment.
Wendy Smith | 11 months ago
Add Comment | Post Reply
< 1 2 (2 pages)