Virginia state lawmakers on Feb. 23 approved legislation that will make organized retail theft a Class 3 felony and could leave those convicted of the crime eligible for prison sentences of up to 20 years.
The bill, HB 1885, was introduced by Republican delegate Kathy Byron, and will make it a Class 3 felony for anyone to conspire or act in concert with one or more people to steal retail merchandise from one or more establishments that has a value exceeding $5,000 within a three-month period, with the intent to sell the stolen goods for profit.
It would also make it a Class 3 felony for any person to receive or possess any stolen merchandise that was obtained through theft from one or more stores while knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe the property was unlawfully obtained….