People v. Rowell

In March 2004, after a stipulated bench trial, the trial court found defendant, Howard L. Rowell, guilty of retail theft of property having a retail value exceeding $150 (720 ILCS 5/16A — 3(a) (West 2004)). Defendant filed a motion for judgment of acquittal or, in the alternative, motion in arrest of judgment, and the court denied the motion. In May 2004, the court sentenced defendant to 30 months’ probation. Defendant appeals. We affirm in part, vacate in part, and remand with directions.

I. BACKGROUND

On August 26, 2003, defendant was charged with the misdemeanor offense of theft by deception…