Third Degree Burglary is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person breaks into a vending machine or safe with the intent to steal from it. A man is wanted for this crime after taking a very large vending machine on an elevator ride. According to the report, the man had moved the vending machine from the first floor and took it on an elevator ride to the eighth floor. After he arrived at his destination, he pushed the vending machine into the hallway and tried to break in to get the cash out. He was apparently unsuccessful and gave up on this endeavor before being caught. His escapade was caught on security footage, though, and he is being sought for the alleged offense. If this had occurred in Colorado, the man would likely be charged with Third Degree Burglary.
Larimer County Third Degree Burglary Lawyer: Definition of Breaking into a Vending Machine
The Larimer and Boulder County, Colorado law definition of Third Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-204 – is:
For the man above, breaking into the vending machine with the intent to take money or even snacks would meet the criteria of this crime. Even though he was unsuccessful, his intent was to commit the crime of Theft when he broke into and damaged the machine, so he could be facing this felony charge.
Sentence for 3rd Degree Burglary in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, 3rd Degree Burglary is a class 3 felony, which is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. However, if the intent of the Burglary is to steal a controlled substance, then it is a class 4 felony, punishable by 2 to 6 years in DOC. It’s hard to imagine that breaking into a safe and stealing money or valuables would be charged the same as breaking into a vending machine and stealing snacks, but that’s the way the law was written.