720 ILCS 5/16-5 – Theft From Coin-Operated Machine
This law makes it illegal to break into or tamper with a coin machine to use it or steal from it.
This Illinois law says that it’s a crime to damage or open a coin-operated machine, like a vending machine or laundry machine, without permission. The seriousness of the punishment depends on what the person was trying to do and whether they’ve been convicted before.
(a) A person commits theft from a coin-operated machine if they knowingly and without permission open, damage, or tamper with a coin-operated machine for either of these reasons:
- To make the machine work or use it without paying.
- To steal money or items from the machine.
(b) Sentence:
- If the person does what’s described in (a)(1), it’s a Class B misdemeanor, a lower-level crime.
- If the person does what’s described in (a)(2), it’s a Class A misdemeanor, which is more serious.
- If someone has already been convicted of stealing from a coin machine under (a)(2) and has any past convictions for theft, robbery, burglary, or similar crimes, it becomes a Class 4 felony, which is a more serious offense.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.
