Stealing Grocery Carts in Baltimore
Why Grocery Cart Theft in Baltimore, MD Doesn’t Make Sense
The theft of grocery carts in Baltimore, MD, is a misguided and ultimately harmful endeavor. As the time honored saying goes: “Well, if they had to take the trouble to pass a statute, apparently there is a problem.” While your average person on the street may not be familiar with the looming cart menace, you can be fined $25 for Stealing Grocery Carts in Baltimore, taking the cart from the store, damaging it, or abandoning it in an alley. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer in Baltimore is aware that notice of the statutory section must be clearly posted at the store’s exit in order for these provisions to apply.
Grocery Cart Stealing in Baltimore: Legal Ramifications.
Theft is a Crime: In Maryland, The theft of grocery carts is a criminal offense
Potential Penalties: Consequences can include fines, jail time, and a criminal record
Record Impact: A criminal record can severely limit future opportunities, such as employment and housing
Theft of Baltimore Area Grocery Carts: Ethical Considerations:
Harm to Businesses: Stealing from businesses negatively impacts their operations and can lead to job losses
Community Impact: Theft disrupts the community and erodes trust, increasing fear and diverting resources from addressing genuine social needs
Baltimore City Code: SUBTITLE 30 MERCHANDISE CARTS
§ 30-1. Scope of subtitle.
The provisions of this subtitle apply only to wheeled carts and other similar devices which have the
name and address of the owners thereof clearly marked thereon.
§ 30-2. Prohibited conduct.
Any person who:
(1) removes from the premises of any grocery store, store, or market any wheeled cart or other
similar device belonging to the owner of such grocery store, store, or market and used for the
purpose of assembling or carrying materials there purchased;
(2) destroys, mutilates, or damages any such wheeled cart or other device;
(3) abandons any such wheeled cart or device upon the streets, highways, or alleys of the City of
Baltimore; or
(4) has in his possession any such wheeled cart or other device away from the premises of the
owner of such wheeled cart or device,
is guilty of a misdemeanor.
§ 30-3. Penalties.
Upon conviction thereof, he is subject to a fine of not more than $100 for each such offense.
(City Code, 1966, art. 19, §26(2ndsen.); 1976/83, art. 19, §31(2ndsen.).)(Ord. 59-1977; Ord. 61-936.)
Baltimore Cart Theft- The Cost – Benefit Analysis- Limited Gains, Significant Risks
Low Value: The value of stolen grocery carts is minimal. Some would suggest the resale market is limited, and not lucrative.
High Risk of Apprehension: Theft is often caught on surveillance cameras, increasing the risk of arrest and prosecution.
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A Baltimore car accident and personal injury litigator who has taken hundreds of cases to trial in Maryland, New York and Florida, recovering millions over a 30-year mission to obtain denied compensation for his clients.
