(A) A person commits the offense of motor vehicle tampering if he or she:
(1) Tampers with property of another for the purpose of causing substantial inconvenience or harm to that person or to another;
(2) Unlawfully enters in or upon another’s automobile, airplane, motorcycle, motorboat, or other motor-propelled vehicle;
(3) Tampers or unlawfully or without authorization makes connection with property of a utility; or
(4) Tampers with, or causes to be tampered with, any meter or other property of an electric, gas, steam, water, or cable utility, the effect of which tampering is either:
(a) To prevent the proper measuring of electric, gas, steam, water, or cable service; or
(b) To permit the diversion of any electric, gas, steam, cable, or water service.
(B) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ENTER. Being physically present in or accessing a vehicle in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe such conduct was in furtherance of a crime or offense.
SUCCESSIVE. More than one structure or vehicle. It shall be an affirmative defense if the person proves he or she had permission from the owners of the homes or vehicles.
TAMPERING. Also includes testing or pulling any doors or windows of successive structures or vehicles or opening or attempting at opening the trunk of successive vehicles, that the person not own or lease, in a way that would lead a reasonable person to believe said conduct was in furtherance of a crime or offense.
(Prior Code, § 131.06) (Ord. 22-13, passed 11-21-2022) Penalty, see § 130.99