§ 23-34. Defrauding hotels, motels, campgrounds, etc.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person, without paying therefor, and with the intent to cheat or defraud the owner or keeper to:

(1)

Put up at a hotel, motel, campground or boardinghouse;

(2)

Obtain food from a restaurant or other eating house;

(3)

Gain entrance to an amusement park; or

(4)

Without having an express agreement for credit, procure food, entertainment or accommodation from any hotel, motel, campground, boardinghouse, restaurant or eating house.

It shall be unlawful for any person, with intent to cheat or defraud the owner or keeper out of the pay therefor, to obtain credit at a hotel, motel, campground, boardinghouse, restaurant or eating house for food, entertainment or accommodations by means of any false show of baggage or effects brought thereto.

It shall be unlawful for any person, with intent to cheat or defraud, to obtain credit at a hotel, motel, campground, boardinghouse, restaurant, eating house or amusement park for food, entertainment or accommodations through any misrepresentation or false statement.

It shall be unlawful for any person, with intent to cheat or defraud, to remove or cause to be removed any baggage or effects from a hotel, motel, campground, boardinghouse, restaurant or eating house while there is a lien existing thereon for the proper charges due from him for fare and board furnished.

(b)

This section shall apply only if the value of the service, credit or benefit procured or obtained is less than five hundred dollars ($500.00).

(c)

Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(Code 1965, § 23-21; Ord. No. 1003, 11-5-79; Ord. No. 1703, 6-8-87; Ord. No. 2230, 6-8-93; Ord. No. 3576, 12-11-18)

Cross reference— Food and food establishments, Ch. 13; hotels and similar establishments, Ch. 15.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-188, which makes the offense a felony, if the value of the service, credit or benefit is $100.00 or more.

(Code 1965, § 23-21; Ord. No. 1003, 11-5-79; Ord. No. 1703, 6-8-87; Ord. No. 2230, 6-8-93; Ord. No. 3576, 12-11-18)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-188, which makes the offense a felony, if the value of the service, credit or benefit is $100.00 or more.

Cross reference

Food and food establishments, Ch. 13; hotels and similar establishments, Ch. 15.