Property crimes a common charge in Fresno, including burglary, robbery, carjacking, shoplifting
Fresno burglary charges and charges involving other property crimes, including robbery, shoplifting and auto theft, are among the most common criminal charges in Fresno County and throughout California.
A Fresno criminal defense lawyer will seek a reduction or dismissal of the charges on your behalf. Being convicted of a property crime can follow you for years, or even decades, and may make it difficult to hold certain jobs or retain or maintain employment.
In general, shoplifting and some other forms of petty theft may be filed as misdemeanors. The value of the item can elevate a theft allegation to the level of a felony, as happened recently to Lindsay Lohan, who was accused in the theft of a $2,500 "one-of-a-kind" necklace. In such cases, a defense attorney may challenge the value of the missing items.
In cases where physical force, or the threat of physical force, is used, a felony robbery charge may be filed. Such cases are much more serious, just as a case of carjacking is more serious than the theft of an unoccupied vehicle. Additionally, the presence of a gun in the commission of a theft crime may lead to more serious charges.
Receiving stolen property is another common charge. These charges are often beatable but are frequently threatened or filed by detectives seeking information about a theft crime. Regardless of the promises made by a law enforcement officer, keeping your mouth shut and contacting an attorney is always the best course of action.
A sampling of recent property crimes in Fresno includes:
-The Fresno Bee reports a 26-year-old Fresno man is facing a robbery charge in connection with the robbery of a Jack in the Box in south Fresno last week. Police say he was unarmed but told employees he had a weapon and demanded money. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash. Detectives report using surveillance video and witness reports to identify the suspect. He was taken into custody at his home near the restaurant on Sunday.
-A 24-year-old man is facing charges of carjacking in Fresno after incidents in parking lots off East Kings Canyon Road. Police say he dragged a 34-year-old woman from her vehicle on Dec. 20 and a 66-year-old woman from her vehicle on Jan. 27. Police say he confessed to both crimes, according to the Bee.
-The Bee reports a traffic stop led to the arrest of a Clovis burglary suspect. Several men in the area are believed connected to a number of residential burglaries.
