A person who removes a price tag from a retail item, replaces it, and pays a lower price has committed which offense?

The action of removing a price tag from a retail item, replacing it with a different tag to reflect a lower price, involves altering or concealing information related to the price of goods. This behavior corresponds to the offense of fraudulent destruction, removal, or concealment of writing.

In this context, the price tag represents a form of written information that communicates the value of the item being sold. By changing the price signifier, an individual is effectively committing fraud, which underlines the intent to deceive the retailer or misrepresent the true value of the item. This action goes beyond simple theft as it specifically involves the deceptive manipulation of writing that denotes pricing.

Recognizing this nuance is important, as it emphasizes the legal ramifications associated not only with stealing goods but also with the acts that manipulate pricing information in a fraudulent manner. Understanding the terminology associated with these offenses helps reinforce the broader principles of law concerning property rights and consumer transactions.