Juvenile Delinquent

Looking back, I have no idea what motivated Reggie to get involved in what you see below.  I think it must have been a feeling of invincibility, that we was "smarter" than the police, and would not get caught.  It is puzzling, because even though he eventually gets caught, and has all kinds of discipline from my parents and guidance from others, he does not change his ways.  So take this type of behavior as a significant warning sign of potential trouble with your friend or family member.

Break and Enter

Editors Note:  One weekend morning, I was out in one of our barns and I discovered 2 cases of Johnny Walker Scotch.  I had no idea where these had come from, but I figured that they must have belonged to my uncle or someone else in the extended family.  Within a few days, I discovered that Reggie and his friends had broken into the local Knights of Columbus Hall and had stolen a bunch of liquor, and this was most of it.  Reggie was probably 15 or 16 so I was extremely surprised.  I don’t recall the details, but the police found out who committed the crime and charged Reggie and his accomplices with the crime. 

Several months later they went to court, and somehow, the judge made an error and neglected to order Reggie to pay any restitution for his crime which we felt he would have been responsible for, despite ordering his co-conspirators to pay restitution.  Reggie was ecstatic as he got off with a slap on the wrist at no expense, and I think everyone was a little disappointed that he did not get at least a little punishment for what he had done, but that is how our justice system works.

Stealing from Cars
Reggie was also involved in other activity including the stealing of car stereos, 8-track tapes and casettes [kids - look those up!], and loose items in cars during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. In all cases, I believe the cars were unlocked, so it was easy picking for Reggie. He was eventually caught by the police in 1981, but again he got a slap on the wrist as a juvenile.  

Breaking into the Molson Beer Tractor Trailer
One of the most colorful incidents was when he and his friends broke into a tractor trailer of Molson beer and stole @ 15 cases of beer.  Charges were dropped.  Reggie was getting used to crime & (lack of) punishment.