That sounds a lot like entrapment, which I thought was illegal.
I think it’s only entrapment in a legal sense if the cop tells you take the sneakers. Simply presenting someone an opportunity to commit a crime isn’t entrapment.
If a cop went over to the kids and said “hey look, that truck is full of sneakers and no one is around, so you should go take them” that would be entrapment. But the sneakers just being there and the kids on their own accord deciding they should steal them isn’t entrapment.
It’s a really shitty thing to do to be sure, but doesn’t fit the legal definition of entrapment as far as I know.
It’s not entrapment. See https://thecriminallawyer.tumblr.com/post/19810672629/12-i-was-entrapped for a good explanation of what entrapment is and isn’t. It’s commonly misunderstood.
Though what it is is a very sketchy use of police resources.
It is. But if the police ask them without a lawyer “did you steal those shoes” they dont know any better and will say yes. Then they can take that to court and their parents and say “They admitted to the crime” and then more bullshit continues. Thats why if you ever get arrested DONT SAY SHIT until a lawyer is present.