Tennessee Officers Replace Xbox After Child’s Gets Stolen
In this apparent age of gun violence and police brutality scandals, it’s important to remember that the criminals we see in the news aren’t the standard — they’re the exception. Cops get a lot of flack these days. But every now and then, a story pops up that reminds us of those countless police officers who are out there to do as much good as they can.
On November 30, an 11-year-old boy in Memphis got to experience this kindness firsthand. It came as something of a surprise, because what theft crime victims expect good things to happen on the same day? Four cops wound up replacing the boy’s Xbox when they found out “he didn’t have a whole lot.”
A Nice Start To The Season Of Giving
The officers were called to the boy’s residence after church, when he and his mom came home to discover that they’d been robbed. Several of the mother’s personal belongings were missing, in addition to the Xbox and all of its games. When the officers got to talking to the kid, they found out that “this game system (while it was handed down from someone else) was everything to him.”
The officers asked if a new Xbox was going his Christmas list, and decided to visit the local Gamestop after hearing the boy’s response:
“My mom works long hours and several jobs … she uses that money to just pay the bills; I am not gonna even ask.”
The officers split the bill among themselves and the clerk, who wanted to chip in after hearing the story. Gamestop’s manager also donated an extra controller to the cause.
When the cops came back to the boy’s house, they asked if he’d “take a look at an Xbox they found to see if it was his.” The boy said it wasn’t because his was an older model. And then the officers corrected him: actually, it was his, although it’s new because they couldn’t track down his old one.
And of course it was emotional. The Memphis police department recalls that the boy “was so overwhelmed that it brought tears to not only him, but his mother and officers as well.”
This is the kind of news we need more of.
The Sad Reality Of Home Burglaries
Even though this particular theft case turned out well, that doesn’t excuse the offender who robbed the boy’s house in the first place. And of course such crimes are no anomaly — home burglaries happen each day across the nation, so we should be aware of how to best prevent them from happening, as well as what steps should be taken in case it happens anyways.
Home security systems and dogs are two classic examples of burglary prevention, but it’s also important to remember the simple things: locking the doors when you leave the house, keeping some lights on at night if you aren’t home, being cautious with distributing your address, etc.
If you do get robbed, and the police manage to track down the burglar, then you can certainly press charges in court. Tennessee state law maintains that offenders of theft crimes may be subject to fines, full repayment of stole amounts, and jail time. The penalties depend on what was stolen: theft under $500 is a Class A misdemeanor, and over $500 means felony charges. Obviously, the consequences of a felony will be more severe than those of a misdemeanor.
Theft Of Property Cases: Legal Representation Is Crucial!
At Turner Law Offices, P.C., our team of attorneys has seen countless criminal cases related to theft of property, from petty shoplifting to grand theft auto. Whether you’re the victim or the unjustly accused, we know the most efficient means of securing a satisfactory resolution for any given theft crime case. The first consultation is always free, so don’t wait! Call our offices or go online to set up an appointment with a skilled lawyer who’s ready and waiting to get you on track towards the justice you deserve.
