570.057. Stealing leased or rented property — evidence of intent to violate, when — law enforcement procedure — venue — penalties.
Taking rented items and not returning them can be a crime
If you rent something and don’t bring it back on time, try to hide it, or don’t pay as agreed, you can be charged with a crime in Missouri.
1. You commit this crime if you do any of the following on purpose:
- Don’t return the rented item to the right place and time as written in the agreement;
- Hide the item or help someone else hide it from the owner;
- Sell, give away, pawn, or damage the item without the owner’s permission, or don’t tell the new person it was rented;
- Return the item but don’t pay the rental charges, on purpose.
2. This law covers all kinds of rental deals, including rent-to-own and lease-purchase agreements. The owner keeps ownership until they officially transfer it.
3. The following can be used as proof of intent:
- Giving a fake or outdated name, address, or job when renting;
- Not returning the item or paying within 7 days of getting a certified letter from the owner (or 72 hours for a motor vehicle);
- For a car, if it’s not returned in 72 hours, police can list it as stolen and recover it;
- If the rented item isn’t a car and isn’t returned in 7 days, the owner can report it to police, who may give a warning before an arrest.
4. If the item is a vehicle and it can’t be returned because it’s broken down, and the renter tells the owner where it is and what’s wrong, they may not be guilty under this law.
5. Destroying rented property to avoid giving it back is a separate crime: property damage.
6. The case can be handled in the county where the item was rented.
7. The penalty depends on the item’s value:
- It’s a class A misdemeanor if the item is worth less than $750;
- It’s a class D felony if the item is worth $750 or more.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
