As humans, we tend to develop routines and it can be very hard to break those routines, especially when we are forced out of them. A 70-year-old gentleman did not take well to a change in his routine and his reaction resulted in criminal charges. The man had a specific seat he always sat in during BINGO and was furious when he saw a woman had taken that seat. He stormed out of the building and used an ice pick to slash the van tires of the 88-year-old woman who had mistakenly sat in his seat. The man was caught on camera puncturing 2 of the tires on the woman’s van. The man was caught, arrested, and charged with Criminal Mischief.
What is Criminal Mischief in Larimer County?
Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501 – is defined by Colorado law as:
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, any purposeful damage to another person’s property can result in Criminal Mischief charges. Even though the man damaged two of her tires, he would only be charged with one count of Criminal Mischief because it happened ‘in the course of a single criminal episode.’ The damage is assessed and the total cost of the harmed property decides the level of felony or misdemeanor that will be charged.
|
Class of Crime |
Aggregate Damage of Property Harmed |
| Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | Less than $300 |
| Class 2 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | $300 to $749 |
| Class 1 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief | $750 to $999 |
| Class 6 Felony Criminal Mischief | $1,000 to $4,999 |
| Class 5 Felony Criminal Mischief | $5,000 to $19,999 |
| Class 4 Felony Criminal Mischief | $20,000 to $99,999 |
| Class 3 Felony Criminal Mischief | $100,000 to $999,999 |
| Class 2 Felony Criminal Mischief | $1,000,000 or more |
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According to the news report, the man caused about $500 of damage to the woman’s car. Based on this amount, he would be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor is punishable with 3 to 12 months in the Larimer, Boulder, or Grand County Jail and up to $1,000 in fines.