But it is legal to steal a $50,000.00 vehicle. Just a ticket for negligent driving. What we are talking about is making theft illegal and restitution legal. Changing the law is what we are doing and it is way past time. Society must make thieves the untouchables. Database of thieves. Theft is not an except-able career in a civilized society. There must be consequences for theft. We cannot and should not live like this. Actual damages are the value of the item taken compensatory plus punitive damage plus pain and suffering totaling 10 times the retail value of the item taken. If restitution is not paid then serious jail time. Possibly in a foreign contracted prison facility lowest bidder gets the contract.