Intellectual Property Law

What is "recieving stolen property"?

I am currently, possibly, being formally cautioned for buying stolen property. I don't understand what this crime actually involves. The example (not real) below: A person offers to sell an item, i purchase it knowing it is stolen with the express intention of returning it to the owner as it is valuable and possibly highly personal. Is this a crime? Does the intention of returning the stolen item mean a crime is being committed, as there is no intention of depriving the original owner (no reward is requested) In my case, the police were informed when i contacted the owner to inform him of property and offered to return it

Public Comments

1. Just think about it.. No one knows what your intentions are (returning the stolen good).. Best bet if you know its stolen and you know who it belongs to, call the police.. dont waste your money.
2. unless you are an undercover cop and are authorized to do stuff like that, it's illegal. they have laws for a reason, and if you disobey them just because you THINK you're doing the right thing, that doesn't stop you from being prosecuted. robin hood.....
3. It can be pretty difficult to prove intent, after you've been arrested with the stolen property in your possession. Look at it like this, as far as the law sees it, you have knowingly purchased/received the stolen property of another. Now that you are confronted by law enforcement with this, you claim that you were merely obtaining the item so that you could give it back to it's rightful owner. Do you think that they have possibly heard this story before? It's kind of like, "No officer, see my friend asked me to hold on to this baggy and I was just being a good friend. I was going to give it back to him tomorrow, you know these aren't even my pants." Now I'm not saying you weren't in fact trying to be the good samaritan, but if you know that someone has stolen property, why not just contact authorities?
4. Legally it is against the law because you know it is stolen. And in their thinking you should call them and report who, what, where , when. I have to say it, I don't care who you are, you are GUILTY TILL PROVEN INNOCENT! Good luck
5. Handling stolen goods is an offence from a perspective of the law of England and Wales is defined and an offence under Section 22 of the Theft Act 1968 ... not sure of the law in the U.S. might vary state by state - best bet is to search the term in the US Code - all the laws in one place, that should tell you. It is also a crime under Section 23 of the said Act to produce "... any public advertisement of a reward for the return of any goods which have been stolen or lost". The maximum fine: £100 (around $200 USD)
6. You had NO intention of returning the item when you bought it. You only decided to return it later. At least, that is what the prosecutor will argue in court. If you actually intended to return it all along, why didn't you inform the police BEFORE you bought the item so the could arrest the thief? There is NO answer that will help you here.