AT hiker arrested in Pawling

[Trailweaver]

No one has mentioned this: Maybe he "only" stole say, $25.00 worth of food. Did he damage the building/door $500.00 worth when he broke in? I suspect that's where the expensive felony charge comes in. He is charged according to the law of the state he is in when he committed the crime - if it's over a certain dollar amount, it's a felony, not a misdemeanor. The DA's office can't just arbitrarily make the charge - it is based on what the law says they have to charge.

I used to work for a judge and he always said "They put themselves in jail; I just tell them how long they have to stay."

[SMSP]

If he's found 'guilty', which it looks to be the case, perhaps his sentence could be foot washing for tired hikers that rest in this park.

SMSP

[Penguin]

Then he might rob them while doing the foot washing. I say give him what he wants. He wanted free food, and in jail you get plenty of it, so put him there. The bum should be happy then.

[Spokes]

Too bad the Dutchess County Sheriffs Office doesn't post arrest mugshots. Very frustrating.

[JAK]

Too bad the Dutchess County Sheriffs Office doesn't post arrest mugshots. Very frustrating.

Apparently it is against national security interests.

[Jim Adams]

No such thing as free food....he eats, we pay.

geek

[Sierra Echo]

Too bad the Dutchess County Sheriffs Office doesn't post arrest mugshots. Very frustrating.

Dutchess County, huh?? His new trail name should be Dutchess!

[mweinstone]

maby the answer is to dip theives in green coloring that dosnt ever wash off head to toe.then put them in jail longer. i belive leaving them un diped is a mistake.

[JAK]

What if its the start of a peasants revolt?

[Feral Bill]

thieves suck. no sympathy

Petty thieves suck. Big time Wall Street thieves are a whole other level of sucking. They almost never get punished. Lets save the blood lust for those who really deserve it.

[DripDry]

I can't help but imagine trying to explain the "no victim/no crime" idea to a 10 year old. This is simple- don't take what doesn't belong to you, and don't go in places you don't belong. So it is OK if he stole $15 worth of food, but at $25 it is a crime? Sorry- I would eat my shoe before I stole food- from a house, a picnic table, a restaurant or center. Why is it OK- because we are LD hikers and the world owes us something? I remember a hostile owner putting out Snickers and asking for payment of 50 cents in a cup- he told me about half the hikers took them without paying. Hey- its only candy right? Please- wrong is wrong. Even a 10 year old can get that. Is it to much to assume a hiker can't? I don't know the details, and maybe there are some additional circumstances, but don't excuse theft because it is "petty".

[bus]

Dutchess County, huh?? His new trail name should be Dutchess!

She shoots, she score! 5/5.

[Trailbender]

I can't help but imagine trying to explain the "no victim/no crime" idea to a 10 year old. This is simple- don't take what doesn't belong to you, and don't go in places you don't belong. So it is OK if he stole $15 worth of food, but at $25 it is a crime? Sorry- I would eat my shoe before I stole food- from a house, a picnic table, a restaurant or center. Why is it OK- because we are LD hikers and the world owes us something? I remember a hostile owner putting out Snickers and asking for payment of 50 cents in a cup- he told me about half the hikers took them without paying. Hey- its only candy right? Please- wrong is wrong. Even a 10 year old can get that. Is it to much to assume a hiker can't? I don't know the details, and maybe there are some additional circumstances, but don't excuse theft because it is "petty".

I'd never steal food unless the alternative was to starve to death.

[DripDry]

In my rant, I should have said "hostel" vs. "hostile". I guess I am struggling with why anybody would try to justify this guy's actions. I get that the police may have overreacted with the charges, but stealing is still wrong in my book and isn't justified by the value of the theft (or location). If I was truly starving, I guess I might consider it if I had no other option- but there is a long way between "hungry" and "starving". I doubt he had walked that road. And just for the record- at the hostel I gave the owner a couple of extra bucks for the idiots that thought they were too important to pay for what they took. (OK- make that two rants- I am done now!).

[Dogwood]

WOW! So now it's Pawling or New York's fault that this young AT hiker was hit with Burglary and Petty Larceny charges?

[Spokes]

Thievery tends to be like eating potato chips, hardly anybody stops at just one.

[peasantgirl]

Dutchess County, huh?? His new trail name should be Dutchess!

Already taken!

[GeneralLee10]

screw this guy.

The need for food I can see, but ask, dont break into somewhere, hikers get a bad enough rap.

way to go assfacedumbstick, now we will lose that park as a welcome camp.

Once again, thank you ******** who ruin things on trails.

I agree with you 100%

[JAK]

Jus ti fy
To make a passing comment on without extreme outrage and condemnation.

Source: High Horse Dictionary - 21st Century Edition

[WildTomato]

Stealing another man's property is one of the oldest crimes in the world.

No mercy should be given to this thief.

A example should be set by the Hiker community that crime will NOT be tolerated on the trail, as to protect the A.T.

I do not want the A.T. and A.T. hikers ( thrus the most ) to get a bad reputation along the trail.