DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot is clarifying his new policy not to prosecute theft of what he called “necessary items” under $750.

Creuzot told WBAP’s ‘Rick Roberts Show’ Tuesday that the policy only applies to people stealing to survive, not someone who plans to re-sell stolen items.

“If the individual is committing the crime because they are poor or they are hungry then we are going to exercise our prosecutorial discretion not to prosecute that case,” Creuzot said.

Creuzot said in hindsight the policy should have referred to thefts of “personal consumption” opposed to “necessity.”

Roberts pressed the District Attorney on whether or not the policy would lead to an increase in crime.

“I don’t think there’s any evidence that shows that,” said Creuzot. “There’s not any research that shows that the type of individuals we’re talking about will lead to an increase in crime.”

The D.A. told Roberts his office would track theft statistics in coming months to see how effective his policy is.

“Our policies are based on research, not personal preference,” Creuzot said.

Creuzot pledged his office would get a university to conduct the research. He said if statistics show the policy needs to be changed then his office would change it.

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