If a 14-year-old boy steals candy bars from a store, what can law enforcement do?

Taking the child into temporary custody for theft is a valid action for law enforcement to take in this scenario. When a minor, such as a 14-year-old, is involved in a theft, law enforcement officers have the authority to intervene, often due to the need for accountability as well as the need to ensure the minor's safety and that of the community.

Temporary custody does not mean arrest in the traditional sense, as minors have different legal considerations. Officers can detain them to prevent further wrongdoing and to allow for proper investigation and resolution of the incident. This approach is often combined with educational and rehabilitative programs aimed at preventing future offenses.

The alternatives—such as doing nothing because the boy was not arrested in the store, giving a warning, or simply contacting his parents—do not address the seriousness of theft and the role of law enforcement in maintaining public order and supporting youth accountability. Taking appropriate action, like temporary custody, allows law enforcement to ensure that the situation is handled appropriately and can help steer the minor towards better choices in the future.