Can i still be a cop? Please Help

[AK recruit]

I live in the interior of Alaska (North Pole) and I have just finished my associates degree at age 21. For the last couple years i have changed my career goals towards law enforcement and my Aunt and Uncle are both police officers. The problem is i cant ask them these questions because I am worried I may put them in a bad position.
Shortly after turning 18, 3 years ago in Oct, I met up with friends at the time knowing they intended to rally(off road without regard for vehicles condition) the vehicle for a friend of theirs and burn it. They were requested to do this by one of their friends so he could say it was stolen and collect insurance. They were all 21+ and I just reached the age 18 and considered an adult.

This has been haunting me. I rode around in the back when one of them drove through the woods etc. When we got out and they were preparing to light it on fire I ran back to my car. At that point I realized I was way over my head and afraid. I got back to my car and saw a glow over the tree tops. They ran up to my car and we got out of there. I have cut off contact with two of them and when offered payment for being there i refused and wanted nothing to do with them.

I didn't help plan any of this but I was a participant by getting into the vehicle when they drove it through trails and I transported them back. While in the car I expressed my fear and that I no longer wanted to be a part of this.

LONG story short, what crime have i committed and is this something that would disqualify me from employment in Law enforcement? This was only 3 years ago when i was 18, I am 21 now.

Before this, with the same group of "friends" a year or two before the car incident(16-17 yrs old), we opened up a shipping container that was locked up. This was behind the place of employment of one of the guys. We took over a $1000 in items, personally removing two things the sum was less than $500.

I have matured greatly since and my morals have never been stronger. I want to be in law enforcement now and have wanted this for at least 2 years. Now that I am 21 and eligible I have researched the preliminary oral interview and the polygraph that follows. I have no intention of lying about anything but i am afraid of a couple things:

1. My participation in these two crimes destroyed any chance of being in Law Enforcement.

2. If I tell them all this, I could still be liable and myself and all involved (they now have wives and kids) would be prosecuted.

So I guess I am asking if A: What crime did I commit in the first act? The second was theft not robbery correct? No dwelling or building was involved.
B: Is my future in LE destroyed before it even begins?
C: Can I be prosecuted for these crimes still? (statutes of limitations)
D: Can I incriminate anyone during this application process?(If they ask for details, do I have to give names and specifics that could start an investigation?)

[manahmanah]

Conspiracy, burglary, grand theft, fraud, arson, do you want me to stop or keep going? You're screwed.

[sgtbear111]

You had knowledge of a felony about to be committed, and you did nothing to stop them or remove yourself. You knew what was going to happen, and you were an adult.

You became an active participant in the crimes when you got in the car with them. Your involvement got deeper by going to the place the vehicle was burned, deeper still as you waited for them, and ever deeper when you drove the get-away car.

As for the theft from the shipping container, you took part in the plan, and you acted in carrying out the crime. You took part in forcing entry and you stole some of the merchandise inside. You may be liable for Federal charges if that van was an interstate shipment or under seal of Customs. If what you stole was regulated or controlled, you are liable for further charges. If you "fenced" what was stolen or still possess what you stole, you are liable for more charges.

You tend to minimize your participation. You try to shift the 'heavy' stuff to your friends, but remember they could not have completed these crimes wthout your participation. That makes you an equal partner. They furnished the motive and you agreed, you provided the means (transport), and all of you took the opportunity

Your two stories bring out a weakness of character, having the wrong kind of "friends", being "easy" to turn from what is right, and being a "follower" can do to one's future. Your friends would shift the whole blame onto you in a minute.

I would not want you policing my community.

[pac201]

1. My participation in these two crimes destroyed any chance of being in Law Enforcement.Yes, no hope

2. If I tell them all this, I could still be liable and myself and all involved (they now have wives and kids) would be prosecuted.Yes

So I guess I am asking if A: What crime did I commit in the first act?Already answered The second was theft not robbery correct? No dwelling or building was involved.
B: Is my future in LE destroyed before it even begins?See above(Yes)
C: Can I be prosecuted for these crimes still? (statutes of limitations)Possibly
D: Can I incriminate anyone during this application process?(If they ask for details, do I have to give names and specifics that could start an investigation?)Yes, and yes

Answers imbedded

[Cat_Doc]

B: Is my future in LE destroyed before it even begins?

My educated guess is; wait for it, wait for it......yes.

[mcsap]

Nobody held a gun to your head that night and it wasn't a mistake.

[mobrien316]

On the bright side, if your friend never collected insurance money or falsely filed a stolen vehicle report, you have done nothing wrong. Unless you were trespassing on someone else's property. Or unless you violated some sort of open burning law.

In a town near mine a couple of patrol officers rolled up on a guy in a deserted area who had just poured gas all over his BMW and tossed in a match. It was pretty clear he was intending to report it as stolen and then someone would find it all burned out. The sergeant very cheerfully informed him there was nothing wrong with torching his own car, unless of course he was contemplating insurance fraud. He was given a misdemeanor summons for having an open burn and for trespassing, and was very kindly informed that if he ever put in an insurance claim for the car he'd be charged with a felony.

[patchcop]

Not only in the USA, also here in Europe you'll have no chance to become a LEO!!!!! So don't try it!!!!!!!!!!!