{"id":375953,"date":"2018-01-17T19:03:19","date_gmt":"2018-01-18T00:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-auto-theft-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-01-17T19:06:01","modified_gmt":"2018-01-18T00:06:01","slug":"pennsylvania-auto-theft-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-auto-theft-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Auto Theft Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Pennsylvania Auto Theft Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Although each state has its own specific definition of theft<\/a>, it’s generally defined as the taking of someone else’s property without permission, and with the intent<\/a> to permanently deprive that person of the property. Pennsylvania separates different types of theft into different statutes. Theft of an automobile falls into more than one of Pennsylvania’s theft statutes depending on the circumstances.<\/p>\n

Defining Theft in Pennsylvania<\/h2>\n

Pennsylvania has several categories of theft including (but are not limited to): theft by deception, theft by extortion, theft of services, and retail theft. The grading<\/a> and subsequent sentencing of theft offenses will depend on the circumstances surrounding the theft, and the value and characteristics of the stolen property. For example, it’s a felony of the second degree if the property stolen is:<\/p>\n