The arrest of a “big baller” could result in a much bigger punishment than some might expect.
LiAngelo Ball was among the three American college basketball players accused of shoplifting in a luxury store in China and could be severely punished for it, including getting sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence. The UCLA freshman, who is also a son of the polarizing LaVar Ball and brother to hoops stars Lonzo and LaMelo, was nabbed along with two teammates for stealing from the Louis Vuitton store in Hangzhou, ESPN reported Tuesday afternoon.
The team was there to play a preseason game against Georgia Tech University on Friday.
While details were scarce, such as what was allegedly stolen, criminal penalties for theft in China are among the strictest in the world.
“Those robbing public or private property using force, coercion, or other methods are to be sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in addition to fine,” according to the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China.
If a weapon was used or if anyone was hurt, LiAngelo and/or his teammates could also face the death penalty, Chapter V of “The Crime of Encroaching on Property” portion of the criminal code has stated.
The laws in China are so strict that one woman was sentenced to serve a decade in prison for stealing a cellphone. Another woman who stole food from a grocery store was sentenced to being publicly shamed by being forced to hold up a sign reading, “I am a shameless thief,” China Daily reported.
In another sign of the country’s rigid criminal justice system, the above penalties were seen as being “too lenient” for shoplifting in 2001, according to the South China Morning Post.
LaVar Ball created the Big Baller Brand in part as a marketing tool to promote the basketball talents of his sons. Big Ballers are “are always striving for excellence through strong work ethic, passion, and commitment to win as a team,” according to the company website.
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‘Big Baller’ LiAngelo Ball Could Get Big Prison Time For Shoplifting In China was originally published on newsone.com
