Theft Lawyer in Fort Collins and Larimer County
Neighbors Help Catch Porch Pirates

Neighbors worked together to catch a couple porch pirates, who in turn were charged with Theft. Read more about this case here.

In Fort Collins and Larimer County, Theft is charged when a person takes something of value from another with the intent of never giving it back. Taking a package off someone’s porch is a perfect example of Theft. Recently, neighbors came together to catch some porch pirates after packages were going missing. According to the report, one neighbor watched someone take a package from another house and quickly started spreading the word. Using security footage and doorbell cameras, they were able to get a description to police. The car matched one that had been reported as stolen. Police apprehended those involved – both juveniles – who now face charges for Motor Vehicle Theft, Theft, and Underage Marijuana Possession.

Theft Attorney in Loveland and Estes Park: Definition of Theft in Larimer County

The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401 – is:

(1) A person commits theft when he or she knowingly obtains, retains, or exercises control over anything of value of another without authorization or by threat or deception; or receives, loans money by pawn or pledge on, or disposes of anything of value or belonging to another that he or she knows or believes to have been stolen, and:

(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 the teens took the package, a thing of value, with the intention of permanently depriving the package owner of its contents, they would likely be charged for this crime under subsection (a).

Sentence for Theft in Fort Collins – Neighbors Looking Out for Each OTher

Theft can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the value of the item(s) taken. So, the charge level for the teens would depend on what was inside the package. For example, if the package was a new, top of the line, flat screen TV valued at $2,000, then they would be facing a class 6 felony charge. On the other hand, if the package contained a $10 extension cord, then they would be facing a class 1 petty offense.


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 a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.

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