Man Committed Crime To Stay Out of Law School

While going to law school might not be everybody’s cup of tea, I doubt there are too many people that are so scared of the prospect that they commit a crime to ensure that they are never allowed to enter one. However, it was precisely that fear that was said to have motivated Joseph M. Velardo when he stole approximately $300 worth of merchandise from a store.

WPTV reported that Velardo initially set off a store alarm at Staples when he tried to pick up a laptop. After asking whether there were any more laptops of the same model in stock he left the store carrying a pair of batteries – only to return a short time later to tell shop staff of his theft. According to police, he wanted to be charged with a third degree felony so that he would not be allowed to attend law school – to do that he would have needed to have stolen at least $300 worth of merchandise.

From the police report:

The suspect then came back inside the store and told the employees what he had done and told them to call the police. He stated that he stole the merchandise because he wanted a (third) degree felony on his record so he would not be allowed to go to law school.

Unfortunately for Velardo, his alleged theft came up about $23 short. The value of the items that he took was placed at $276.88, just short of the magic $300 mark. Oddly enough Velardo, who is listed as unemployed and apparently on his medication was charged with misdemeanor retail theft, did not seem to be in any danger of going to law school in the first place.

Joseph M. Velardo Mugshot

Sources

Neatorama

WPTV
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