South Miami Police are warning citizens about a new trend they have seen when it comes to car burglaries. A car burglary, formally known as burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, is a third-degree felony in the State of Florida punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
South Miami Police say that car burglary suspects do not smash windows or spend too much time trying to get inside one particular car. The suspects will "hop" from car to car in a parking lot or series of driveways, checking door handles to see which cars are unlocked. If the car is unlocked, the suspects will take items from within the car.
The act of theft is what can make a trespass a burglary. In order to prove the crime of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, the state must prove that the accused had the intent to commit a crime inside of the car. Simply opening a car and sitting inside is a trespass.
Each count of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance carries 5 years.
Eric Matheny is a criminal defense attorney representing clients in Miami-Dade and Broward who have been charged with the crime of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance. Call today to discuss your case.