Section 578.445

Title XXXVIII CRIMES AND PUNISHMENT; PEACE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS

Chapter 578

Effective - 28 Aug 1995, 2 histories, see footnote   (history) 

  578.445.  Until December 31, 2016 — Possession of tool to break into vending machine, with intent to steal — owner of vending machine may bring civil action for damages, when. — 1.  No person shall possess any key, tool, instrument, explosive, or similar device, or a drawing, print, mold of a key, tool, instrument, explosive, or device designed to open, break into, tamper with, or damage a coin-operated vending machine or any other machine or device which is activated by the customer depositing some form of payment, with the intent to commit a theft from such machine.  Violation of this subsection is a class A misdemeanor.

  2.  The owner of a coin-operated vending machine or any other machine or device which is activated by the customer depositing some form of payment may maintain a civil cause of action against any person who pleads guilty or if found guilty of a violation of subsection 1 of this section.  If such owner of a coin-operated vending machine or any other machine or device which is activated by the customer depositing some form of payment prevails in such action, the court may award treble damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs.

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(L. 1995 S.B. 446 §§ 1, 2)

Transferred 2014; now 569.075; Effective 1-01-17