So, a student removes a wheel lock from his car so he can get home; delivers the wheel lock, ticket, and money for the fine to the facility that installed it [apparently, perhaps I am wrong about that part] and guess what; he gets charged with terroristic mischief and possession of stolen property. No, really, he did.
Purdue Parking Services had written the ticket and placed the wheel lock on Sun’s vehicle the previous day because the car allegedly displayed a parking permit that did not belong to him.
Rosenbarger said terroristic mischief is when a person knowingly or intentionally places a device with the intent to cause a reasonable person to believe that it is a weapon of mass destruction. In this case, the act would be a Class C felony, punishable by a maximum of eight years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Possession of stolen property is a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
So, based on this philosophy; I could have been charged because I delivered a package to a friend today and left it in front of his door. Except, I didn’t include $20. This reasonable person test was apparently failed by those who charged him, and hopefully won’t be by the judge/legal system reviewing the case. If possession is stolen property includes delivering the device attached to my car to the originator who trapped my car without any due process, just summary judgment by a person who could possibly not have all the facts. I understand that it may hold true, but fine me; let me get my car. Locking me in place prevents me from solving any form of the problem. Be it my parking in the wrong spot or otherwise, the wheel lock is basically a gift, and taking it with me should not be considered stolen property if I remove it so I can get out of Dodge.
I don’t yet know how to categorize this.
Source: Here