Police File Theft Charges Against Man Who Took Two Fudgee Barr
A 39-year-old unemployed man, identified only as Charles, was arrested in Cebu City after allegedly stealing two Fudgee Barr chocolate snack cakes worth 26 pesos from a 7-Eleven convenience store.
The incident happened at a branch near his home on Salvador Extension Street in Barangay Labangon. A store clerk reportedly saw Charles take the two Fudgee Barr without paying, prompting the staff to immediately contact barangay security officers. He was quickly apprehended and turned over to the Labangon Police Station, where he remains in custody while facing theft charges.
Charles told authorities that he had taken the two Fudgee Barr because he was hungry at the time and had no money to buy food. While the value of the stolen items was small, the law treats taking someone else’s property without permission as theft, regardless of the item’s price. Police have formally filed charges against him, underscoring that even minor acts of stealing carry legal consequences.
Theft, or stealing, is defined as unlawfully taking another person’s property with the intention of permanently depriving the owner of it. It doesn’t matter whether the item is expensive or cheap; what matters is that it was taken without consent. In the Philippines, penalties for theft are outlined in the Revised Penal Code. The punishment depends on the value of the stolen property and the circumstances of the crime. For low-value items like the Fudgee Barr, penalties may include fines or imprisonment from one month up to several years. More serious thefts involving higher-value items or aggravating factors such as violence can lead to longer prison terms and heavier fines.
Meanwhile, this case highlights how even seemingly minor thefts, like taking two Fudgee Barr, are taken seriously under the law. It also reflects broader social issues such as poverty and hunger, which can sometimes drive individuals to commit petty theft. Authorities continue to enforce the law to protect business owners and maintain public order, emphasizing that stealing, no matter how small the item, has consequences.
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