I don't understand petty theft

[tokie]

Are people really so hard up for cash that they are willing to rob someone for $50 in a purse?

Why do so many people go around stealing bikes? If it was a fancy $1k bike, I would understand. But people steal even $150 Wal-Mart bikes.

Do these people just think that the reward of $50 is worth more than any prison time? Or is prison time not enough of a deterrent compared to living like shit?

 

[TridenT]

I don't think thieves usually do it systematically. It's like, "Fuck, I ran out of money. I need it NOW! Must STEAL!"

 

[Newbian]

I take it someone stole your bike?

 

[HamburgerBoy]

I don't think thieves usually do it systematically. It's like, "Fuck, I ran out of money. I need it NOW! Must STEAL!"

This, plus petty theft hardly means "prison time" unless maybe you're extremely habitual and extremely black and male.

 

[Crono]

There is theft out of opportunity, theft out of (perceived) necessity, and theft for thrill.

People will steal if they think no one is looking and they can get away with it (why even people who normally aren't thieves will loot), if they are in need of money (drug addicts especially), or just because it's fun. Usually the last reason only applies to teens or people extremely bored with their lives.

There are also people who feel psychologically compelled to steal (kleptomaniacs).

 

[Colt45]

For theft there is little punishment, so little risk.

muggings though, or robbing 7-11s for $49 in change, I can't wrap my head on that. must be pretty fuckin hard up for their next hit, i guess.

 

[Geosurface]

Some people have no impulse control or ability to consider consequences of their actions.

 

[Puppies04]

Some people have no impulse control or ability to consider consequences of their actions.

Some people also have no jobs and an adiction to illegal drugs.

 

[IEC]

Because they aren't taught correctly by their parents, and their risk of being removed from the gene pool for petty theft is extremely low.

 

[her209]

Its the same reasoning that leads people to buy $150 Diesel jeans.

 

[Pardus]

Last night around 1am, I stopped by Walmart to get some beef jerky before heading home. Noticed four kids in there teens grab a few bottles of soda from the refrigerators up front, then placed the empty containers in the trash by the deli dept and walked out without paying. Walmart's security cameras saw this and by the time I got outside after checking out, they were talking to the cops.

 

[mmntech]

A lot of people who do this are hardcore crack heads. They'll break into cars to to steal a few pennies out of the ash tray, mug someone for $5, steal a phone to sell it. All for drug money. It's a pretty common problem in the city, unfortunately.

Now the kids who do it are the ones that didn't get spanked enough. Don't make me take my belt off...

 

[HeXen]

Some of the kids I remember who had the strictest parents had the worst kids. They always retaliate at some point. Just like how easy of a lay the really religious parents daughters are. Theft is mostly about opportunity. It may be the pencil from work or an unlocked car.

 

[Rakehellion]

Are people really so hard up for cash that they are willing to rob someone for $50 in a purse?

Yes. Some people are lucky to make $50 in a week. Millions of people, even.

 

[HeXen]

Yes. Some people are lucky to make $50 in a week. Millions of people, even.

The PC master race cannot see that far down.

 

[Ichinisan]

These days, they're usually getting a nice smartphone along with the cash and credit cards in a woman's purse.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o6AbAsJh0k

 

[zerocool84]

For theft there is little punishment, so little risk.

muggings though, or robbing 7-11s for $49 in change, I can't wrap my head on that. must be pretty fuckin hard up for their next hit, i guess.

Because they think the 7 - Eleven has much more money on hand.

 

[MotionMan]

Some people also have no jobs and an adiction to illegal drugs.

A lot of people who do this are hardcore crack heads.

This. Addicts cannot support their habits by committing large crimes on a regular basis. They commit a bunch of little crimes every day.

MotionMan

 

[BD231]

A lot of people who do this are hardcore crack heads. They'll break into cars to to steal a few pennies out of the ash tray, mug someone for $5, steal a phone to sell it. All for drug money. It's a pretty common problem in the city, unfortunately.

Now the kids who do it are the ones that didn't get spanked enough. Don't make me take my belt off...

Truth, I've been hit a few times for some bubble gum, ArmorAll and a T-Shirt. Last guy was stupid enough to completely destroy the door lock trying to get in.

 

[Leros]

1) I bet they get away with it most of the time. Cops don't have time to launch investigations to deal with a small theft.

2) They probably don't mind going to jail. Going to jail every now and then might just be a normal part of their life.

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

Well, it's just a simple fact.
When I want something,
I don't want to pay for it.

 

[Hugo Drax]

Are people really so hard up for cash that they are willing to rob someone for $50 in a purse?

Why do so many people go around stealing bikes? If it was a fancy $1k bike, I would understand. But people steal even $150 Wal-Mart bikes.

Do these people just think that the reward of $50 is worth more than any prison time? Or is prison time not enough of a deterrent compared to living like shit?

If you need your next hit, 50 dollars will buy you the drugs you need.

 

[who?]

The natural tendency of humans to be optimistic leads some to believe that they will not get caught.

 

[StrangerGuy]

If you need your next hit, 50 dollars will buy you the drugs you need.

This don't underestimate people who has nothing to lose.

I'm not cordoning such acts, but is the OP so detached from reality that he has to ask this kind of stupid question? What are you, born and lived in some rich gated community your whole life?