Suspect starts the New Year by stealing a car and then getting arrested in Tustin

A male suspect started the New Year on the wrong foot when he got caught stealing a vehicle in Tustin then ran from the police officers, according to the Tustin Police Department.

The suspect was arrested and hopefully he can resolve not to get into any more trouble in 2024.

Grand theft is considered a “wobbler” in California, which means it can be charged as either felony theft or misdemeanor theft depending on the circumstances of your case and your previous criminal history. If you are convicted of misdemeanor grand theft, you face up to 364 days in county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. If you are convicted of felony grand theft, you face a sentence of 16 months, two or three years in county jail and maximum fine of $10,000, according to the Law Firm of Wallin & Klarich, in Tustin.

If you have been convicted three or more times for petty theft, grand theft, auto theft, burglary, carjacking, or robbery, a subsequent petty theft conviction can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. If you are convicted of misdemeanor petty theft, you face up to 364 days in county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. If you are convicted of felony petty theft, you face a sentence of 16 months, two or three years in county jail and maximum fine of $10,000.