Theft of Means of Transportation: A.R.S. 13-1814
Theft of means of transportation involves taking another person’s motor vehicle without the authority to do so. It is sometimes referred to as auto theft or “grand theft auto.” According to A.R.S. 13-1814, theft of means of transportation occurs when the offender knowingly does one of the following:
- Controls another person’s means of transportation with the intent to permanently deprive the person of the means of transportation.
- Converts for an unauthorized term or use another person’s means of transportation that is entrusted to or placed in the defendant’s possession for a limited, authorized term or use.
- Obtains another person’s means of transportation by means of any material misrepresentation with intent to permanently deprive the person of the means of transportation.
- Comes into control of another person’s means of transportation that is lost or misdelivered under circumstances providing means of inquiry as to the true owner and appropriates the means of transportation to the person’s own or another’s use without reasonable efforts to notify the true owner.
- Controls another person’s means of transportation knowing or having reason to know that the property is stolen.
Auto theft is a class 3 felony. First time offenders can face up to 8.75 years of incarceration.
Any person who alleges that a theft of means of transportation has occurred must attest to the allegation by signing an affidavit provided by law enforcement.
- The affidavit must be signed in person when the report is taken or must be signed and notarized if the report was not taken in person.
- If the report was not taken by law enforcement, the person alleging the crime must mail or deliver a signed and notarized affidavit to the appropriate law enforcement agency within one week of reporting the theft.
- If the affidavit is not received by law enforcement within 30 days of the initial report, the vehicle information will be removed from the national crime information center database and the Arizona criminal justice information system.
- A person who falsely reports a theft of means of transportation may be subject to criminal prosecution.
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