As reported by Amanda Milkovits in the May 7, 2012 edition of the Providence Journal, a Johnston man has been arrested and charged with felony larceny over $500.00, receiving stolen goods and grave desecration. The man is accused of stealing bronze vases from gravesites and then selling them for scrap metal. The man has a lengthy criminal record including arrests for domestic assault and other domestic violence crimes.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-1 defines larceny as every person who shall steal any money, goods, or chattels, or any note of the general treasurer of this state for the payment of money, any bank bill, any certificate of any bank or of any public officer or corporation securing the payment of money to any person or certifying it to be due, any certificate of stock in any corporation, any order entitling a person to money or other article, or any bill of exchange, bill of lading, railroad ticket, bond, warrant, obligation, bill, or promissory note for the payment of money, or other valuable property, or any record or paper belonging to any public officer, or any writ, warrant, or other legal process, or any book or part of one containing an account, any receipt for money or other article paid or delivered, any adjustment or document of any kind relating to the payment of money or delivery of any article, any indenture of apprenticeship, or any deed, covenant, indenture, or assurance whatsoever respecting any property, real or personal, shall be deemed guilty of larceny.
The value of the property stolen determines the punishment. Theft of property valued at less than $500.00 is a misdemeanor and punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both. Theft of property valued over $500.0 is a felony and punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.
Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 11-4-1-2 defines receiving stolen goods as every person who shall fraudulently receive any stolen money, goods, securities, chattels, or other property, knowing it to be stolen, shall be deemed guilty of larceny, although the person who stole the property may not have been prosecuted or convicted for it. The possession of any stolen property shall be evidence of guilty knowledge by the person having possession that the property was stolen, unless the person shows that it was acquired in the due course of trade and for adequate consideration. The penalties if convicted are the same as larceny.
If you or a family member has been charged with larceny, robbery or other criminal offenses, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey's reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.