Legal Definitions - manticulate

To manticulate is a legal term that describes the act of stealing items, such as wallets, phones, or other valuables, directly from a person's pockets, bags, or person without their knowledge or consent. This act is typically carried out through stealth, sleight of hand, or distraction, making it a form of theft commonly known as "picking pockets."

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Imagine a crowded music festival where attendees are focused on the stage. A skilled thief might subtly reach into an open backpack or a loose jacket pocket of a concert-goer and remove a wallet or phone without the victim ever realizing it happened until much later. This act of covertly taking an item directly from the person's belongings without their awareness is an example of manticulation.

• Consider a busy subway car during rush hour. An individual might use the close proximity and general chaos to discreetly slip a hand into someone's purse or coat pocket and extract a valuable item, such as a set of keys or a small electronic device. Because the theft occurred directly from the person's possession through stealth, it constitutes manticulation.

• In a bustling tourist area, a group of individuals might work together to create a distraction, perhaps by bumping into someone or asking for directions. While the victim is momentarily disoriented, one member of the group could swiftly and silently remove a passport or cash from a front pocket or fanny pack. This coordinated, surreptitious removal of property directly from the victim's person is a clear instance of manticulation.