It is a crime to steal something and return it. If someone steals other people's property and returns it, if the stolen property reaches a large amount, it constitutes theft, and returning the property is a manifestation of surrender.
How to sentence theft?
China's criminal law has a basic provision on theft: whoever steals public or private property in a large amount or many times shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention or control, and shall also or only be fined; If the amount is huge or there are other serious circumstances, he shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years and shall also be fined; If the amount is especially huge or there are other especially serious circumstances, he shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than 10 years or life imprisonment, and shall also be fined or confiscated.
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Legal basis: Article 72 of the Criminal Law.
A criminal sentenced to criminal detention or fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years may be suspended if he meets the following conditions at the same time, and suspended for people under the age of 18, pregnant women and people who have reached the age of 75:
(a) the circumstances of the crime are relatively minor;
(2) showing repentance;
(3) There is no danger of committing a crime again;
(four) the announcement of probation has no significant adverse effects on the community where he lives.
Probation can be announced according to the circumstances of the crime, and criminals are prohibited from engaging in specific activities, entering specific areas, places and contacting specific personnel during the probation period of probation.
If a suspended criminal is sentenced to an additional punishment, the additional punishment shall still be executed.