If somehow the IRS found out that you and your buddies were doing this elaborate stealing-to-borrow plan, they could slap down tax evasion charges on you since that's definitely breaking the spirit of the law.
But that's a pretty big if ;)
But that's a pretty big if ;)
Is that a common practice?
You can't prove they did anything illegal to profit, but the IRS can audit them and prove they have not paid taxes on all their assets.