I truly believe accidents happen. People do not always need a nefarious motive behind their actions. But, can someone ‘accidentally’ steal a car? Trust me, I was skeptical when I first read this news story, but turns out, you can! According to the news report, a woman’s car went missing. When the surveillance video was reviewed, it should a person entering the car, sitting in it for a bit, and then driving off. Most car thieves don’t hang out in the car for a while before taking of, but this one did. The police got involved and ended up pulling over a woman in the stolen car right in front of the car owner’s house. That’s when the true story was revealed. Apparently, the woman sent her friend to pick up her car, which was just a block away. Her friend got in the wrong car and the key worked (this was verified by police). The woman planned to leave a note with some money to cover gas and her identifying information in case the owners wanted to contact her. Turns out, you can accidentally steal a car!
Larimer County Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft Lawyer: What is the Definition of Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft?
The Colorado law definition of Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-409 – is:
(a) Retains possession or control of the motor vehicle for more than twenty-four hours; or
(b) Attempts to alter or disguise or alters or disguises the appearance of the motor vehicle; or
(c) Attempts to alter or remove or alters or removes the vehicle identification number; or
(d) Uses the motor vehicle in the commission of a crime other than a traffic offense; or
(e) Causes five hundred dollars or more property damage, including but not limited to property damage to the motor vehicle involved, in the course of obtaining control over or in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle; or
(f) Causes bodily injury to another person while he or she is in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle; or
(g) Removes the motor vehicle from this state for a period of time in excess of twelve hours; or
(h) Unlawfully attaches or otherwise displays in or upon the motor vehicle license plates other than those officially issued for the motor vehicle.
We have seen many cases in Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County where accidents end up with criminal charges. Luckily, the police and the owners had an understanding nature, a saw an accident for what it was – an accident. If things had gone another way, the woman could have been facing Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft charges for taking the car without permission and keeping it for more than 24 hours. In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft is a felony charge, punishable by a sentence to the Colorado Department of Corrections.