People v. Gwenette D.

*1249 Opinion

Appellant, Gwenette D., was a 17-year-old minor at the time she admitted the allegations of a petition filed under Welfare and Institutions Code section 602. 1 She appeals from the juvenile court’s order committing her to a locked facility. Prior to filing of her opening brief on appeal, she became 18 years old.

Factual and Procedural Background

On July 12, 1985, Gwenette and five other juveniles entered a sportswear store, locked the front door, pulled the telephone from the wall and removed a number of warm-up suits from the racks. The single sales clerk in the store was frightened by their actions and screamed for help. A witness attempted to stop the juveniles as they escaped in a stolen automobile, but was knocked to the ground by the car. The group was finally detained at a bridge toll plaza and Gwenette and another of the female juveniles were apprehended fleeing from the car. The abandoned car contained the stolen garments as well as other stolen items.

On July 16,1985, a petition was filed under section 602 alleging a violation of Penal Code section 459 (burglary). It was subsequently amended to refer to Penal Code section 490.5 (petty theft from a…