O.C. Woman Is Acquitted in Flashlight Theft Case

A jury Thursday acquitted a Westminster woman of stealing a police officer’s flashlight during a melee that followed a speech by illegal-immigration foe and congressional candidate Jim Gilchrist.

Jurors deliberated about seven hours after a one-day trial before finding Theresa Dang, 26, not guilty. Dang was charged three weeks after a May demonstration that turned violent after a man attending the speech forced his van through protesters. Three people were hurt, but the driver was not charged.

Dang and her lawyer maintained that the two misdemeanor theft charges were politically motivated because Dang had accused police officers of acting too aggressively toward the protesters.

“I want to credit the jurors for taking the time to figure out what really happened with this case,” Dang said after the verdict was announced. “They couldn’t possibly think the case would go to trial over just a $100 flashlight. There had to be other issues.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Erik Petersen did not talk to jurors after the verdict and did not know why they acquitted Dang, but he said Dang’s attorney “planted the seed” during the trial that the prosecution was tainted.

“I don’t know whether they got caught up in the law or the politics behind it or the fact that the flashlight was only worth $100,” Petersen said.

Dang testified that she had picked up a flashlight at the rally because she thought it belonged to a friend who was being arrested.