- Introduced -

SB 1031 - This act specifies that stealing goods, wares, or merchandise from three separate mercantile establishments in one criminal episode is a Class C felony, regardless of the value of the goods.

The act also makes it a Class D felony to possess, use, or counterfeit a sales receipt or universal product code label with the intent to cheat or defraud a retailer. Any person who possesses 15 or more fraudulent sales receipts or universal product code labels, or who possess a device to fraudulently manufacture such receipts or labels, shall be guilty of a Class C felony.

The act creates the Class C felony of unlawful use of a theft detection shielding device, as well as the crime of unlawful possession of a theft detection device remover, also a Class C felony. This portion of the act is similar to HB 1679.

The act also creates the crime of theft by Internet, by using the Internet to knowingly sell stolen property or by using the Internet to knowingly purchase property with a fictitious or stolen credit card or checking account. The crime occurs either in the state where the sale of stolen property originates, or in the state where the property is purchased with a fictitious or stolen credit card or checking account. Theft by Internet is a Class C felony, regardless of the value of the stolen property. This portion of the act is similar to HB 1821.

JOAN GUMMELS