AITA for getting my boyfriend arrested

A college student on the brink of achieving her academic dreams faced a shocking betrayal when her boyfriend stole her hard-earned tuition savings. After reporting him to the police, she is now grappling with his family’s backlash and her own feelings of guilt. Read the full story below:

‘ AITA for getting my boyfriend arrested’

I’m a college student and this is my last semester until medical school. I’ve never been able to get a loan I’ve worked 5 1/2 years to get this degree because I have to pay out of pocket so it takes way longer. I’ve worked two sometimes three jobs at a time and barely had a social life.

For this upcoming semester I reached my goal for tuition so I quit one of my jobs so I could relax a bit. I was a server/bartender at two bars and an office job so I always have cash hidden in my apartment in my closet in box and before the semester starts a week or two before I deposit it so I can pay my tuition.

My boyfriend sometimes stays over while I’m there or when I’m not. Since I’ve been saving for this semester he’s the only one who’s been over I’ve never told him about the box but he knows I have to pay for school. Well yesterday night I get home to put money in the box because I was gonna deposit it today and it’s all gone.

I freaked out and tore my apartment up thinking I put it somewhere else knowing I didn’t. I called my boyfriend like crazy no answer. I didn’t sleep last night I was panicking. Then this morning he finally calls me back I’m yelling at him about my money he’s acting all confused and like I’m crazy.

He comes over I’m still pissed off after a while he finally admits he took it so he can borrow and he’ll pay me back. Where tf is he gonna get $14,000 from in two weeks?! I went into a rage and called the police and reported a theft because that is what he did.

Well it’s been hours now I guess he got his phone call because his family has been blowing my phone up and his mother has said some really hurtful and r**ist things to me. They’ve been harassing me for the past 6 hours now it’s stressing me out even more and I hate that I’m feeling bad for him but he stole my money that I’ve been saving for months.

His brother did call and he was respectful and said they’ll help him pay it back and I should just go to the police station with him and tell them I want to drop the charges but I really don’t believe them. I could do that and never get my money back still. I don’t know what to do and I hate that I’m contemplating doing this. I’m just really pissed off and have been crying all f**king day.

Here’s what people had to say to OP:

Bruiscear −  DO NOT DROP THE CHARGES.. 14k is a HUGE amount of money. His family are lying. They are not going to pay you back. Your BF’s first response was to lie: he only admitted the theft afterwards. They will take off and run, and you’ll never see him or any of them ever again.

Why would you drop the charges?? He STOLE from you. He deserves to go to prison. Also, If you do drop the charges, it’s possible that any insurance you have will be nullified. You might be able to borrow money from somewhere – but they would need to see evidence of your ability to save money – you’ll need the police report number as part of this application.

If his family are banging on about paying the money back, tell them that they can sell one of their cars ASAP and pay you back, as courts usually charge interest on money judgements.. NTA.. ​Edit: Thank you everyone for the awards; I’m very appreciative.

wizard10000 −  NTA. Very sorry that happened to you. You could tell them you’ll drop the charges as soon as you get your $14k back 🙂

AussieTopCat −  Do NOT drop the charges. He stole from you and you have no guarantee that the money will come back. If his family really want to help, they will pay the money back to you so they can tell the judge he has made restitution, for a better sentence.

The trust in this relationship has gone out the door and it is over. Block his family on your phone – you do not need their abusive. Before you do, if you have any messages from them, save them and ask the police for a AVO to prevent them from abusing and threatening you.

DeepFudge9235 −  So NTA he stole the money period, didn’t even ask you. Tell them you will drop the charges if they get a loan and pay you in cash right away. Until then no, you will not go down. You need that money. They can work with their son to get paid back.. I hope you dumped him.

errkajune −  NTA. Break up. Press charges. Get your money. Unless they want to pay you the $14,000 in cash immediately then nah he’s in trouble.
Stealing from u period is wrong. He didn’t take a couple hundred. He took fourteen thousand dollars. $14,000. Stole that…From you knowing it’s your money. The audacity!! That amount is a legal matter at that point.

midlifeducation −  Don’t drop the charges until he tells you where he put the money. That kind of cash doesn’t just disappear overnight. Or make the family give you the money up front. On a side note… Take some of it and buy a safe & some new locks for your doors.

Fainora −  NTA you didn’t get your BF arrested he got himself arrested by stealing from you. Tell his family you will drop the charge when and only when the money is back in your hands.

NeedsNewPants −  Nta but oh my God no, do not drop those charges. Start gathering pay stubs, receipts, whatever you need to prove that money was in fact in your possession before your (hopefully ex) boyfriend stole it. Is there a chance the brother is being nice? Maybe, but a low chance at best.

He probably was the first one in his family to figure out it might be easier to convince you to drop the charges if he is nice. See if you can set up a payment extension or payment plan, hopefully you won’t have to take a semester off.

Maybe find a lawyer? Prepare for the fact that you may never see the money but remember that doesn’t mean you drop the charges on someone who stole 14k and is costing you school and your future.

Inconceivable44 −  NTA. He stole from you. He got himself arrested. I’d tell his family you’ll drop the charges AFTER they give you the 14k. Once you have the money, peace out and leave him to rot. And please use a bank in the future. Don’t keep that much money lying around.

alexenglish_ −  I have a hard time believing this is real but NTA. But, why didn’t you open a bank account? $14K is entirely too much to keep in a box in your closet. You could’ve earned some interest putting that in a savings account.. He deserved to get arrested.

What would you do in this situation? Should the student hold her ground to protect her future or give in to pressure from the boyfriend’s family? Share your thoughts in the comments!