Theft is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person takes something for value from another with the intent of never giving it back. Recently, the Weld County Sheriff made it a point to notify citizens that there has been an uptick in Thefts. Specifically, thieves are targeting catalytic converters. In fact, it is seemingly a problem across the nation, where law enforcement is seeing more and more catalytic converter thefts. Apparently, these devices contain valuable metals. The Sheriff’s office reports that in this year, 15 catalytic converters have been stolen in Weld County. If caught, the person taking the catalytic converter would likely be charged with Theft.
Theft Lawyer in Larimer County: Definition of Theft in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado definition of Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401 – is:
(a) Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value;
(b) Knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value in such manner as to deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit;
(c) Uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value intending that such use, concealment, or abandonment will deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit;
(d) Demands any consideration to which he or she is not legally entitled as a condition of restoring the thing of value to the other person; or
(e) Knowingly retains the thing of value more than seventy-two hours after the agreed-upon time of return in any lease or hire agreement.
Because those taking the catalytic converters are taking the items without permission and clearly don’t intend to give them back, they would be charged under subsection (a).
Sentence for Theft of a Catalytic Converter in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Theft is charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the item taken. On average, catalytic converters can cost on average between $800 and $1,200. This would mean Theft of a catalytic converter would be charged as a class 1 misdemeanor. When someone is charged with stealing an item valued at $750 – $1,999.99, then it is a class 1 misdemeanor charge.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Theft, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule your free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels