Conversion

A form of theft. The taking over of property which belongs to another and using it as if it were property owned by the person doing the converting. For example, a car bought on a time payment plan may be taken by the purchaser to some far away place with the intent of trying to escape any further payments on the car; or the car may be sold or traded for another under the pretense that the car actually belongs to the purchaser. This is the conversion of the vehicle to the purchaser’s own use. It applies to all property belonging to one person but which is in the hands of another, as for example, the bailee of goods, an employer who advances certain monies to an employee for specific purposes, etc.