As reported by Richard C. Dujardin in the January 4, 2013 edition of the Providence Journal, a Johnston man has been arrested and charged with breaking and entering and larceny. The man is accused of stealing copper from his employer. The copper was valued at over $1,800.00. The man is currently being held as a probation violator for a previous drug charge.
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-8-4, breaking and entering of a business is defined as every person who shall break and enter any bank, shop, office or warehouse, not adjoining to or occupied as a dwelling house, any meeting house, church, chapel, courthouse, town house, college, academy, schoolhouse, library or other building erected for public use or occupied for any public purpose, or any ship or vessel, with intent to commit murder, sexual assault, robbery or larceny, shall be imprisoned not exceeding ten (10) years.
Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 11-41-1, larceny is defined 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.
Larceny is divided into two (2) categories based on the value of the property stolen. Property valued at less than $1,500.00 is misdemeanor larceny. The penalties if convicted of misdemeanor larceny include imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both. Property valued at $1,500.00 or more or a firearm is felony larceny. The penalties if convicted of felony larceny include imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.
If you or a family member has been charged with breaking and entering, robbery or other theft crimes, 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.