§ 23-41. Injuring, tampering with, etc., vehicles, boats, etc.

(a)

Any person who shall, individually or in association with one or more others, willfully break, injure, tamper with or remove any part of any vehicle, aircraft, boat or vessel, for the purpose of injuring, defacing or destroying such vehicle, aircraft, boat or vessel, or temporarily or permanently preventing its useful operation, or for any purpose against the will or without the consent of the owner of such vehicle, aircraft, boat or vessel, or who shall in any other manner willfully or maliciously interfere with or prevent the running or operation of such vehicle, aircraft, boat or vessel, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(b)

Any person who shall, without the consent of the owner or person in charge of a vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel or locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad, climb into or upon such vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel or locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad, with intent to commit any crime, malicious mischief or injury thereto, or who, while a vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel or locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad is at rest and unattended, shall attempt to manipulate any of the levers and starting crank or other device, brakes or mechanism thereof, or to set such vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel or locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad in motion, with the intent to commit any crime, malicious mischief or injury thereto, shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. This subsection shall not apply when any such act is done in an emergency or in furtherance of public safety or by or under the direction of an officer in the regulation of traffic or performance of any other official duty.

(c)

The provisions of this section shall not apply to a bona fide repossession of a vehicle, aircraft, boat or vessel by the holder of a lien on such vehicle, aircraft, boat or vessel, or by agents or employees of such lienholder.

(Code 1965, §§ 23-57—23-59; Ord. No. 1003, 11-5-79)

Cross reference— Boats, Ch. 6; motor vehicles, Ch. 21.

State Law reference— Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, §§ 18.2-146—18.2-148.

(Code 1965, §§ 23-57—23-59; Ord. No. 1003, 11-5-79)

State law reference

Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, §§ 18.2-146—18.2-148.

Cross reference

Boats, Ch. 6; motor vehicles, Ch. 21.