I don’t know if some people feel like a celebrity when they appear on the news or what the case is, but it’s strange to me that so many stories involve people excited about being wanted. To make matters worse, they then do something silly to turn themselves in. This story is the perfect example. A man walked into the police station and held up his phone, which was open to a news app. The app showed a picture of a man suspected of committing a Theft. The man pointed to the photo and exclaimed, “Yo dog, that’s me!” He was subsequently arrested for allegedly walking into a fire station through an unlocked door and taking an electronic device belonging to one of the firefighters. The man was charged with Theft and I’m pretty sure the police considered it an easy arrest.
What is Theft in Fort Collins?
The Colorado law definition of Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401 – is:
- 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
- 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;
- Knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value in such manner as to deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit;
- Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value;
- Knowingly retains the thing of value more than seventy-two hours after the agreed-upon time of return in any lease or hire agreement.
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What is the Maximum Sentence for a Theft Charge in Loveland?
While it was not disclosed what item the man stole or how much it was worth, that information would be the deciding factor on the level of felony Theft or misdemeanor Theft this man would be charged with.
Petty and Misdemeanor Theft Offenses:
| Class 1 Petty Theft Offense | Class 3 Misdemeanor Theft | Class 2 Misdemeanor Theft | Class 1 Misdemeanor Theft | |
| Item Price Range | Less than $50 | $50 to $299 | $300 to $749 | $750 to $1,999 |
| Maximum Penalty | *$500 fine
*6 months jail |
*$750 fine
*6 months jail |
*$1,000 fine
*12 months jail |
*$5,000
*18 months jail |
Felony Theft Offenses:
| Class 6 Felony Theft | Class 5 Felony Theft | Class 4 Felony Theft | Class 3 Felony Theft | Class 2 Felony Theft | |
| Item Price Range | $2,000 to $4,999 | $5,000 to $19,999 | $20,000 to $99,999 | $100,000 to $999,999 | $1,000,000 or more |
| Maximum Penalty | *$100,000 fine
*18 months prison |
*$100,000 fine
*3 years prison |
*$500,000 fine
*6 years prison |
$750,000 fine
*12 years prison |
*$1,000,000 fine
*24 years prison |
Basically, if the stolen item was worth less than $2,000, the man would be facing a misdemeanor Theft charge. If the item was valued at more than $2,000, it would result in a felony Theft charge in Larimer, Boulder, or Grand County. When you think about it, $2,000 can add up really quickly. It is not hard to get charged with a felony when it comes to Theft. Allegations of Theft can result in your arrest and a permanent stain on your record.