Three Women Wanted in Georgia for Numerous Theft Crimes Arrested in Indiana

Three women in their twenties taunted law enforcement via social media by posting “do ya job!” The three women, 23-year-old Toni Huizar, along with 27-year-old Amber Dunlap and 26-year-old Tiphanie Sager, had felony theft warrants out of two metro Atlanta counties.

Indiana troopers answered their call.  After a short police chase, the three suspects, who are accused of several thefts in Rockdale County and Henry County, were booked into jail in Hancock County, Indiana.

The three women were in a rental car speeding on I-70 when police pulled them over. According to reports, a search of the vehicles unveiled a substantial amount of credit cards, social security cards, purses, wallets, checkbooks, and other costly items in the trunk.

The three women are waiting to be extradited to Georgia. As a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney, I will outline some of the most common types of theft crimes in our state in today's post.

Theft by Taking in Georgia

Theft by Taking in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-8-2 as:

When a person unlawfully takes or, being in lawful possession thereof, unlawfully appropriates any property of another with the intention of depriving him of the property, regardless of the manner in which property is taken or appropriated. 

Theft by taking is the most common type of theft that occurs in Georgia. Simply put, theft by taking occurs when a person withholds property of another either temporarily or permanently.

Theft by Receiving in Georgia

Theft by Receiving in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-8-7 as:

When a person receives, disposes of, or retains stolen property which knows or should know was stolen unless the property is received, disposed of, or retained with intent to restore it to the owner. 

Theft by receiving means acquiring possession or control or lending on the security of the property. The accused person must have bought or receive the goods knowing that the goods had been stolen.

Theft by Deception in Georgia

Theft by Deception in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law in O.C.G.A. §16-8-3 as:

When a person obtains property by any deceitful means or artful practice with the intention of depriving the owner of the property.

Theft by deceiving can be done in five different ways. First, by creating or confirming another's impression of an existing fact or past event which is false. Second, by failing to correct a false impression of an existing or past event which he has previously created or confirmed. Third, by preventing another from acquiring information pertinent to the disposition of the property involved. Fourth, by selling or otherwise transferring property intentionally failing to disclose a substantial lien. And last, by promising performance of services, which he does not intend to perform.

Practice Note

Penalties for theft convictions are the same regardless of the type of theft committed. The penalty for a theft conviction is based on the value of the property stolen.

The penalty for theft by taking can either be a misdemeanor or felony in Georgia. When the theft involves property valued at $500 or less, then the crime will be deemed a misdemeanor in Georgia. The consequences of a misdemeanor include a fine of no more than $1,000 and a jail sentence of no more than 12 months.

When the theft involves property valued at over $500, then the crime will be deemed a felony in Georgia. The consequences of a felony include a penalty of a prison sentence of no less than one year and no more than ten years.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for committing a crime in Georgia, contact our offices today. A Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer can help you with your case.