Standard Shoplift Record of Arrest Synopsis
On Wednesday January 24, 2007, at about 8:30 AM, the accused was at the Wal-Mart Canada Corporation Store located at 10 Peel Center Drive in the City of Brampton.
A store security officer observed the accused in the audio-visual department of the store examining a variety of music DVD’s. The accused was acting suspiciously by looking around him as he handled the DVD’s. At one point the accused concealed three DVD’s inside of his winter jacket. The accused then left the store without attempting to pay for the merchandise.
Store security approached the accused outside the store, identified herself, and arrested the accused for theft under $5000. Police attended, cautioned the accused and advised him of his right to counsel. He was subsequently released on an Appearance Notice.
The three pre-recorded music DVD’s were recovered and had a value of $46.33.
Designing your own Synopsis
This is a factual summary of what the accused did to commit the offence, it is not a story of the investigation.
Start with the date and time followed by, “the accused was at” the specified location where the offence was committed.
Keep it to the basic facts.
Make sure you establish the facts-in-issue.
Refrain from using adjectives; just state the facts.
If a store/company is the victim, make sure you get the official name of the store.
Indicate whether property was/was not seized or recovered or was/was not damaged in a property offence.
Indicate the property value.
Indicate whether someone was or was not injured in a crime of violence (victim or accused)
Evidence of mens rea is usually inferred and does not need to be stated for most offences.