722 S.E.2d 317
Va. Ct. App.2012Background
- Little challenged two counts of receiving stolen property under Va. Code § 18.2-108, arguing insufficient evidence the value met the statute's $200 minimum.
- Wooten, a former student, recruited Little to drive during two break-ins at AT&T stores to steal display phones.
- AT&T witnesses testified about replacement values: high per-phone replacement costs and differences between replacement and retail value.
- Board testified the stolen phones included specific models with stated values and that display phones were treated as inventory, not retail stock.
- The trial court convicted Little on the two counts of receiving stolen property; appeal focused on whether value evidence supported grand larceny threshold.
- Virginia law requires value to be measured by market/current value; where market value is unclear, replacement cost may establish actual value to meet the threshold.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether value of stolen goods met the $200 minimum. | Little argues value evidence fails to meet threshold. | Commonwealth contends replacement cost supports actual value above $200. | Value satisfied; replacement cost supported actual value. |
Key Cases Cited
- Baylor v. Commonwealth, 55 Va.App. 82, 683 S.E.2d 843 (2009) (no market value; actual value required when item has no market value)
- Robinson v. Commonwealth, 258 Va. 3, 516 S.E.2d 475 (1999) (test for value is market value; original purchase price admissible)
- Parker v. Commonwealth, 254 Va. 118, 489 S.E.2d 482 (1997) (value measured at time of theft; depreciation considerations)
- Dunn v. Commonwealth, 222 Va. 704, 284 S.E.2d 792 (1981) (depreciation may affect value assessment)
- Gertler v. Bowling, 202 Va. 213, 116 S.E.2d 268 (1960) (value assessment principles for property crimes)
- Board of Supervisors v. Donatelli & Klein, Inc., 228 Va. 620, 325 S.E.2d 342 (1985) (market/value considerations in valuation context)
- DiMaio v. Commonwealth, 46 Va.App. 755, 621 S.E.2d 696 (2005) (replacement value may assist in value determination)
- Wright v. Commonwealth, 196 Va. 132, 82 S.E.2d 603 (1954) (context on larceny and valuation)