I caught my teen stealing money from my purse. What should I do?

I’m so angry and disappointed after catching my 16-year-old son in my room stealing money. He has frequently been asking me for cash without giving any valid reasons for use. When I finally refused, he stormed off, only to find him taking some cash from my purse without asking. I didn’t allow him to keep what he took.

He confessed that he’d done that occasionally, and I’m afraid that the lack of trust I feel can be destructive to our already rocky relationship. My son yelled at me, saying his father, whom I walked away from, wouldn’t refuse to give him anything he asked for. I’m upset and don’t want to lash out.

Why would he do this after everything I’ve taught him? I’m even questioning my own abilities and wonder where I’ve gone wrong with my child now that theft is involved.