Two People Arrested for Grand Larceny in Loudoun County
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office arrested a West Virginia man and a Maryland woman for grand larceny after a shoplifting incident in Leesburg, according to an article by the Loudoun Times-Mirror.
This shoplifting incident occurred on Wednesday, September 4th at approximately 2:24 a.m. That is when sheriff’s deputies arrived at a store in the 19300 block of Compass Creek Parkway, responding to reports of merchandise theft.
The West Virginia man and Maryland woman hopped into a vehicle and fled the scene. But they did not get far. Sheriff’s deputies caught up to the vehicle and executed a traffic stop. After identifying the West Virginia man and Maryland woman as the shoplifting suspects, the sheriff’s deputies arrested the pair and took them into custody.
At this juncture, both the West Virginia man and Maryland woman face criminal charges in Virginia for grand larceny. They both remain in custody without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
While these individuals wait for their legal cases to play out, it seems like an opportune moment to explore the difference between petit larceny and grand larceny under Virginia law.
Petit Larceny Under Virginia Law
Code of Virginia Section 18.2-96 establishes the Virginia laws against and penalties for petit larceny. Under this section, a person commits petit larceny if they steal:
- Item(s) Worth Less than $5, if the theft occurs directly from the owner’s person or presence; or
- Item(s) Worth Less than $500, if the theft occurs outside of the owner’s person or presence.
In terms of the punishment for petit larceny, it is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia law. If convicted for this class of misdemeanor, the offender can face a maximum of 12 months in county jail and up to $2,500 in criminal fines.
Grand Larceny Under Virginia Law
Code of Virginia Section 18.2-95 details the Virginia laws against and penalties for grand larceny. Under this section, a person commits grand larceny if they steal:
- Item(s) Worth More than $5, if the theft occurs directly from the owner’s person or presence;
- Item(s) Worth More than $500, if the theft occurs outside of the owner’s person or presence; or
- Any Firearm, regardless of the value of the firearm or the manner of theft.
In terms of the punishment for grand larceny, it is a felony crime under Virginia law. If convicted for this felony, the offender can face a prison sentence between one and 20 years as well as up to $2,500 in criminal fines.
Do You Need Legal Help?
If you need legal help with petit or grand larceny charges in Virginia, it can be especially helpful to consult with a proficient Leesburg criminal defense attorney. The lawyers at Simms Showers LLP have a proven track record in matters of criminal defense, including petit and grand larceny. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Resource:
loudountimes.com/news/two-charged-with-shoplifting-from-leesburg-walmart/article_f4791b5e-cf2b-11e9-848f-a34e3afc9db9.html
