§ 21-26. Injuring, tampering with, etc., vehicles, aircraft, etc., of another.

(a)

It shall be unlawful for any person, individually or in association with one (1) or more others, to willfully break, injure, tamper with, or remove any part or parts 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 to in any other manner willfully or maliciously interfere with or prevent the running or operation of such vehicle, aircraft, boat or vessel.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person, without the consent of the owner or person in charge of a vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel, locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad, to climb into or upon such vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel, locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad, with intent to commit any crime, malicious mischief or injury thereto, or while a vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel, locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad is at rest and unattended, to attempt to manipulate any of the levers and starting crank or other devices, brakes or mechanism thereof or to set such vehicle, aircraft, boat, vessel, locomotive or other rolling stock of a railroad in motion, with the intent to commit any crime, malicious mischief or injury thereto. 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 thereon or by the agents or employees of such lienholder.

(d)

A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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

State law reference

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