Man accused of stealing from Wal-Mart by using tinfoil-lined backpack

Inforum ^ | December 05, 2012 | Forum staff reports

[Last Dakotan]

5 years in prison for $133 - tough trade.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

A felony and five years in the slammer for shoplifting?

Heavy handed, IMHO.

[Emmett McCarthy]

Yes, several states now consider the “intent” - as evidenced by the foil in the backpack - to constitute burglary which is a felony rather than a misdemeanor theft if intent is not a factor.

[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

At least he’s guaranteed food, water and shelter. The becoming someone’s B**CH is the real punishment though.

[RedMDer]

If he used the tinfoil as a hat he may have gotten away with it.

[Brooklyn Attitude]

How did this even make the news? Shoplifting using foil lined bags has been around for decades. And a sentence of UP TO 5 years means he will may only serve months for stealing that piddling amount.

[Brooklyn Attitude]

How did this even make the news? Shoplifting using foil lined bags has been around for decades. And a sentence of UP TO 5 years means he will may only serve months for stealing that piddling amount.

[Graybeard58]

Heavy handed, IMHO.

I'd shoot to kill anyone I caught robbing me of anything. Now that's heavy handed.

[Uncle Miltie]

This is Northern Minnesota next to Fargo, ND. They take law enforcement very seriously. And there’s essentially no crime.

Remember when New Orleans flooded, and there was looting of EVERYTHING?

Fargo had flooding, and there was exactly 1 (ONE!) burglary the whole time. No other crime whatsoever.

Those are good people up there.

The Hispanic surname pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the perp in comparison to the community. I’ll take bets he’s, ah, “Undocumented”.

[NCDave]

[BerryDingle]

[Fido969]

Brilliant guy, but going to jail for stealing $133 worth of merchandise.

Why can’t these people use their powers for good?

[GreenHornet]

Now, now, now.....since his surname is Ramirez, we have to be politically correct. It wasn’t shoplifting, it was an “undocumented purchase.”

[MrB]

I assume the “reasoning” behind that is that you can’t really tell if someone intended to steal something that was in their backpack unless they go to the measure of “foiling” the alarm system...

[Tau Food]

5 years in prison for $133 - tough trade.

I wouldn't care if I didn't know who will get the bills for room, board, health and dental care. Taxpayers need to keep an eye on judge-created expenses. The court system needs to apply more common sense at times.

[Perdogg]

Committing crimes Americans are unwilling to commit.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

My opinion on these matters is slightly unusual, I suppose...If he was shot while committing the crime, all well and good. But after the fact, I think the amount doesn't justify the sentence. I'd opt for a severe whipping and perhaps a year at hard labor, but not a confiscation of 2nd amendment and other rights for the rest of his life as a result of being a felon.

Assuming he is even a citizen. If not, whip him and ship him.

[Berlin_Freeper]

For every crime they got caught, there were about ten they got away with.

[Emmett McCarthy]

Some people will admit they went into the store with an intent to shoplift which is a “confession” to a more serious crime. The foil lined backpack is somewhat more tangible evidence.