A 65-year-old man from Atlantic City is being held in jail after stealing from a Resorts Atlantic City patron. The man has a history of crime, which his lawyer blamed on social issues that must be addressed.
The Man Is Believed to Have Stolen Money from a Casino Patron
Michael Taylor who has been convicted 44 times found himself in hot water for yet another time. This time, the man was accused of stealing an envelope with cash from a woman’s purse at the Resorts Atlantic City casino.
Taylor is said to have taken the money while the victim was near a slot machine at the property. Surveillance footage showed him take the envelope from the purse, which the victim was holding at the time of the theft.
According to a report by BreakingAC, Taylor was homeless at the time of the theft. He was quickly identified as the suspect by the police and promptly arrested. As of the time of this writing, Taylor remains in custody.
The Arrestee Has a Decades-Long Criminal Record
As mentioned, this wasn’t Taylor’s first violation of the law. The man has some 44 previous convictions, 36 of which involve instances of theft.
Taylor completed a three-year prison sentence in June. Yet, only a few months later he was charged with another instance of theft and appeared in court on November 19. On that very same day, a few hours after his appearance in court, he allegedly stole the casinogoer’s money envelope.
In court, he argued that he had demanded to be excluded from casinos in order to prevent him from engaging in crime but alleges that his demand was never satisfied.
Social Inequality Blamed as the Reason for Taylor’s Behavior
Taylor’s first arrest was in 1978 when he was 19. His repeated thefts and seeming unwillingness to improve frustrated Deputy Attorney General Nicole Wise. However, defense lawyer John Bjorklund attributed the case to “social issues” that put people in inconvenient situations.
Was he born a criminal or is there some reason that homeless people — which this defendant was at the time of the offense — are committing these types of offenses?
John Bjorklund
Wise responded that if Taylor really needs help, the public defender’s office should get him the help he needs. She added that Taylor himself must take an active part in what solution is offered. In any case, she remained adamant that his social situation, while unfortunate, does not excuse his actions.
Judge Jeffrey Wilson was likewise concerned about Taylor’s criminal record and disregard for the law.