A.B. v. State

A juvenile appeals a finding of guilt and disposition order on two counts of petit theft. He argues the trial court erred in denying his motion for judgment of dismissal. We agree and reverse.

The theft occurred at a park where the victims were playing basketball. They placed their wallets and cell phones on the ground next to the basketball hoop. The juvenile was near the basketball court, as were other people.

When the basketball went out of bounds, one of the victims chased after it. When he turned around, he saw the juvenile and the juvenile’s friend running from the area where the victims…