How do other counties handle "thefts" from rent to own stores? Seems like an extension of credit, and mighty civil to me!!!

Rather than use the theft of services, we try to push it to the civil route.

deifinately push the civil route. Otherwise, you become their free collection attorney.

We have indicted some.

The only time I took these was in clear cases of fraud ab initio. Otherwise - it's civil

Folks who have looked at this issue in the past have agreed; rent-to-own involves the extension of credit, and that kicks the remedies to a breach of contract. Situation could be different in other rental situations where there is a set period for a set price; we have had some prosecution where heavy machinery is rented, and basically held on to for a long time and then dropped off in the middle of the night....