HB 1257 -- Stealing Leased Property

Sponsor:  Pratt

This bill creates the crime of stealing leased property when a
person leases personal property with a value of more than $100
and:

(1)  Conceals, aids, or abets the concealment of the property
with the intent to place the property beyond the control of the
lessor;

(2)  Sells, conveys, or encumbers the property without the
written consent of the lessor, without informing the person to
whom the lessee sells, conveys, or encumbers that the same is
subject to the lease and with the intent to deprive the lessor of
possession thereof;

(3)  Fails to return the property to the lessor at the end of the
lease term without intent to wrongfully deprive the lessor of
possession of the property; or

(4)  Returns the property to the lessor at the end of the lease
term but does not pay the lease charges agreed upon in the
written instrument with the intent to wrongfully deprive the
lessor of the agreed upon charges.

Evidence that a lessee used a false, fictitious, or not current
name, address, or place of employment in obtaining the property
or fails or refuses to return the property or pay the lease
charges to the lessor within seven days after written demand has
been sent by certified mail will be proof of intent to commit the
crime.

The crime will be a class A misdemeanor unless the value of the
leased property stolen exceeds $1,000, in which case it will be a
class D felony.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:42 am