Radio Pirates Charged With ‘Theft’

Three Michigan City (Ind.) teens were arrested after police tracked them down as they were using a portable fire department radio taken from one of their parents. The step-father of one of the 18 year-olds left his portable radio in a charger at home while his car was in for repairs, and he then left on vacation. During the broadcasts the teens allegedly reported a vehicle contained C-4 explosives and was driving on the streets. In another broadcast they claimed an officer had been shot and needed help. Besides charges of making a false emergency report, intimidation, resisting law enforcement and an alcohol charge, they were charged with felony theft. Deputy Prosecutor Price told the judge, “Theft does not just mean the illegal seizure of someone else’s property like a car or money, but the unauthorized control” over someone’s else property. In this instance , he said it was the emergency frequencies meant for use by police and emergency workers.” He added, “Every time they pressed the key on the radio they were preventing its proper use by those it was intended for, this is theft.” Read the full story here.