Sons Bicycle stolen, so I went looking for it...

[Big A]

Maybe not expecting too much but probably better this way. Hopefully this one incident was enough to scare the kid straight. Sometimes there isn't any reason for a criminal record to follow you around for ever for something as petty as a bike.

I'm sure we've all had lapses in judgment, especially in our teens (I know I have), that if we had to keep being reminded of a criminal record (on job applications for example) that could do far more harm than good for that individual.

I would just take the hero status and move on.

The only thing extra I think would've been good, was for the cop to drive the kid home and explain the story to his parents. Assuming the parents are worth anything (kids just do stupid stuff) - that's where the scared straight part will come.

As of now, I'm guessing that kid is scoping his next bike since law enforcement is a joke in his eyes.

I'm in agreement with Ceyko here, all this did was teach the kid that there aren't necessarily any consequences, and he'll be quick to do it again. This wasn't an opportunistic type of thing, he stole the bike, and obviously knew it was wrong by trying to "hide" the bike with spray paint. I'd put money on the fact that this won't be this kids last run in with the law.

[Duncan]

The only thing extra I think would've been good, was for the cop to drive the kid home and explain the story to his parents. Assuming the parents are worth anything (kids just do stupid stuff) - that's where the scared straight part will come.

As of now, I'm guessing that kid is scoping his next bike since law enforcement is a joke in his eyes.

This was my thinking as well..after the officer told the kid to move on, he went back to the bench where all of them were visiting before and carried on as if nothing happened.

[Big A]

This was my thinking as well..

That having been said, I do think that you did the right thing, especially in today's litigious society.

[talisman]

The only thing extra I think would've been good, was for the cop to drive the kid home and explain the story to his parents. Assuming the parents are worth anything (kids just do stupid stuff) - that's where the scared straight part will come.

As of now, I'm guessing that kid is scoping his next bike since law enforcement is a joke in his eyes.

Yup, I completely agree.

[GeorgeG.]

I agree with what Ceyko added... I was hoping/assuming the officer said something along the lines of "this is what could happen having stolen the bike" and "let me speak with the owner and see if he wants to press charges". A trip home to the parents would have been icing on the cake hoping the parents took it from there.

If he is scoping his next bike, then he didn't learn and that's where he'll eventually end up with felony conviction like in Don's situation.

I'm just saying, I was a kid once and I did some pretty stupid stuff. One thing specifically that resulted in the cops knocking on my front door and my mom having to take my brother and I to the station. The whole situation scared me shitless but thankfully once it was cleared up, I learned from it.

[Blakeski]

Has the kid ever heard of masking off, geesh....

I was thinking the same thing. I bet if that officer had used some detective skills he probably could have found paint on the little shit's hands.

[VaderTT]

When my old pk ripper was stolen back in the day, my dad and I saw the kid riding it about 5 minutes from my school. My dad rode up on the curb and cut of the kid, who may have been 16. By the time he got out of the car, the kid had already started crying and pissed his pants. Needless to say, but I got my bike back with no complaint and some new profile 3 piece cranks.

[Rreemo]

The more likely scenario is that he'll get a little older and start stealing motorcycles and/or cars. After-all....there was no real punishment this time....

[juiceweezl]

That having been said, I do think that you did the right thing, especially in today's litigious society.

Pffft. I would have waited casually somewhere for him to ride by and shoved a stick through the spokes as he was pedaling. Then you could have "found the bike just lying on the ground like that."

[stevo]

Now, the kid was clearly in possession of a stolen bicycle but the officer didnt get any of the kids information. Maybe I was expecting too much?

Yup, you really are asking too much if you are expecting a cop to do anything other than generate revenue these days. God forbid he be forced to pick up a pen.

Stevo

[SEB]

Just be glad you got it back, Props to you for at least getting off your ass & going out & looking for it instead of pissing & moaning about it

[03trubluGT]

Yup, you really are asking too much if you are expecting a cop to do anything other than generate revenue these days. God forbid he be forced to pick up a pen.

Stevo

Stevo is the poster child for positivity!