Last month, police arrested Angelita Rodriguez for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of Apple products from numerous Target retail locations in Pennsylvania. Police also suspect her of carrying out her activities in other states. Given the extent of her alleged crimes, she will likely face the potential for significant jail time.

If you've been accused of high-dollar theft, contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team as soon as possible. Our attorneys have experience handling various theft crimes and can help if you're arrested, charged, or even suspected of breaking the law. Schedule a consultation by calling 888-535-3686 or using our online contact form.

Theft by Deception

According to the criminal complaint and information from investigators from the Pennsylvania attorney general's office, Angelita Rodriguez's scheme worked by her pretending to be a vendor from Apple, the maker of popular smartphone and tablet products such as the iPhone and iPad. She would then enter a Target retail location and approach the Apple product display area.

Ms. Rodriguez stole more than $20,000 worth of Apple products after gaining access to the products by claiming her key didn't work. After obtaining the products, she would hide them as she left the store. Once outside of the store, she would sell the products for cash.

Law enforcement believes she carried out this plan not just throughout the commonwealth but also in neighboring states such as Virginia and Maryland. However, the full extent of her activities in those states is still unknown.

Ms. Rodriguez faces several theft-related charges, including retail theft, theft by deception, false impersonation, and receiving stolen property.

Different Kinds of Theft Charges

As in many other states, Pennsylvania has multiple theft criminal statutes. Most of these statutes differentiate crimes based on what is stolen and how it is stolen.

For example, retail theft involves stealing something from a store. This is different from organized retail theft, where someone might not physically steal something themselves, but they organize, financially support, or coordinate others who engage in the physical taking of property from a store. These crimes aren't to be confused with the charge of theft by unlawful taking, which doesn't necessarily include the retail or commercial element.

A Legal Defense Against Theft Charges

As you can see, theft charges in Pennsylvania can be complicated. What seems like a simple crime could lead to a plethora of charges with differing levels of culpability and criminal penalties. If you've been accused of stealing in the commonwealth, don't try to handle your defense on your own. You need to contact the LLF Law Firm Criminal Defense Team as soon as possible. Our attorneys have many years of experience handling these cases and can guide you through the challenging process. To learn more, use our online contact form or call us at 888-535-3686.