As more and more people do their shopping online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, packages from Amazon, Costco, and Walmart end up on front porches for extended periods of time. Porch pirates often take advantage of this and attempt to take these packages, potentially resulting in theft charges. Additionally, with the abundance of home security cameras in use throughout Aurora’s neighborhoods, it’s much easier for law enforcement to identify these individuals. Earlier this month, a home camera caught a man taking deliveries off of a homeowner’s porch while he was out of town. Any allegations of stealing packages in Arapahoe County requires contacting an experienced theft attorney as soon as possible.
Arapahoe County Theft Laws
Arapahoe County’s theft laws prohibit taking items of value that don’t belong to you. CRS 18-4-401 defines the specific violations of theft throughout Colorado. You commit this offense in Aurora, Centennial, or Englewood if you:
- knowingly obtain, retain, or exercise control,
- over someone’s item of value without permission,
- intending to keep the item(s) for your own benefit / use
Porch pirate behavior is especially risky because a package’s contents are often unknown. Theft charges amplify as the value of the item(s) increases. Taking a package off of someone’s porch with a book in it is much different than a new tablet or smartphone.
Penalties for Porch Pirate Theft in Colorado
Each theft case in Colorado is different. As a result, the consequences are as well. Theft crime ranges depend on the total value of the item(s) stolen. Taking a box off someone’s doorstep with items in it totaling under $50 in value is a petty offense. Misdemeanor theft charges result when the items range $50 – $1,999 in value and can lead to:
- up to 18 months in county jail,
- a maximum fine of $5K
However, when that value number reaches or exceeds $2,000, a felony applies. Conviction can result in years in DOC and even higher fines.
Arapahoe County Theft Attorney
Allegations of theft in Aurora, Centennial, or Englewood require specific steps as a defendant. First, exercise your right to remain silent if police contact you. Second, contact a strategic theft attorney to schedule a free consultation or a jail visit. We have decades of experience representing those charged with theft throughout the Denver area and our results stand alone. Our affordable fees and flexible payment plans make skilled defense a reality in these uncertain times.
If you or someone you know is facing a theft charge in Colorado, the time to act is now. Contact the determined criminal lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Wicked Monday