Main Office
Satellite Office
Consultations by Appointment Only

Jewelry Store Heist Shows Where the Line Is Between Shoplifting and Burglary

A burglar staring into the camera, representing how one can benefit from calling a Maine criminal defense lawyer.

Over $100,000 in merchandise was taken from a jewelry store in Farmingdale back in early August. The incident highlights the difference between shoplifting and some more severe criminal charges like burglary.

Maine Jewelry Store Broken Into

According to the police and store owners, Kennebec Jewelry was broken into during the overnight hours of August 2, 2019.

Several jewelry cases were broken during the incident, and store owners claim that more than $100,000 in jewelry was taken during the heist.

Police are now asking the public for leads as they treat the case as a burglary.

The Distinct Line Between Shoplifting and Burglary

Even though shoplifting is the criminal offense of intentionally taking merchandise from a store without paying for it, police are treating the incident as a burglary because there is an additional element to the case: Breaking and entering into a building that was closed to the public at the time of the offense.

Shoplifting is one of the many criminal offenses that is covered by a single statute in Maine – 17-A Maine Statute § 351. This statute consolidates a handful of different theft offenses under the realm of a common element that they all have: Intentionally taking property, without the permission of the owner, with the intent of permanently keeping it. The statute treats all of the following offenses as “theft”:

However, 17-A Maine Statute § 351 does not include a course of conduct that makes criminal offenses more severe – breaking into a building in order to commit them. When this happens, the offense is no longer just a theft. It becomes a burglary.

Burglary in Maine is outlined by 17-A Maine Statute § 401. Under this statute, a burglary happens whenever someone “enters or surreptitiously remains in a structure knowing that that person is not licensed or privileged to do so, with the intent to commit a crime.”

The “entering or surreptitiously remaining” is the line between the relatively minor offense of shoplifting and the more severe offense of burglary. It is also why the police, in this case, are investigating the theft of merchandise from the jewelry store as a burglary, and not as a lesser form of theft like shoplifting: Because the incident happened after hours while the store was closed, the law treats it as a more culpable type of crime that comes with higher penalties.

Shoplifting and Criminal Defense at Maine Criminal Defense Group in Portland

The criminal defense lawyers at Maine Criminal Defense Group in Portland, Maine, provide legal representation for people who have been accused of property crimes like shoplifting, theft, or burglary. Even the least severe of these offenses can alter the course of your life and force you to move forward with a serious criminal conviction on your background.

Defending against these allegations is crucial, and the lawyers at Maine Criminal Defense Group can help. Contact them online or call them at (207) 571-8146 if you have been charged with a crime in Saco, Biddeford, or elsewhere in southern Maine.

REQUEST A CONSULTATION

Contact our office to speak with
one of our team members who will set up a confidential consultation to discuss your case.

PRACTICE AREAS
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

Great group of people. Managed to get me a favorable outcome from a very bad situation. I would highly recommend this firm if you have legal troubles. Top notch performance!!

Dave Allen

So thankful I chose this team to represent me. They’re the best, hands down. Nathan Hitchcock proved my innocence not once but TWICE, including a trial by jury. I have a family in law enforcement who told me “Bill Bly and his team are the best. If I would recommend anyone, it would be them.”

Brandon Albert

AVOID A CRIMINAL RECORD

CONFIDENTIAL CASE EVALUATIONS

OVER 115+ GOOGLE REVIEWS

OVER 165+ AVVO REVIEWS

Ready to Get Started? Get In Touch With Us Today!

If you are facing criminal charges in Maine, the attorneys at The Maine Criminal Defense Group are here to help. Call our office to speak with one of our team members, who will discuss your case with you and set up a consultation with one of our attorneys.

Get to Know Our Group
Maine Legal Group

We are a boutique law firm, and we stand out by prioritizing our clients’ well-being. At The Maine Legal Group, our experienced team offers personalized attention in both criminal defense and divorce cases.

The Maine Criminal Defense Group

The Maine Criminal Defense Group adeptly handles all areas of criminal defense practice, including experienced and skilled legal representation for state and federal charges.

The Maine Divorce Group

The Maine Divorce Group empowers individuals skillfully navigating divorce with compassionate guidance, ensuring a brighter future through the challenges of the process.