§ 11-18-20. Obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud.
(a) By trick or false representation. Whoever with intent to defraud the owner or any person lawfully possessing any motor vehicle obtains the custody of the motor vehicle by trick, deceit, fraudulent or willful false representation, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished as provided in this section.
(b) Hiring with intent to defraud. Whoever with intent to defraud the owner or any person lawfully possessing any motor vehicle, or the rental of a motor vehicle, hires a vehicle from the owner, or the owner’s agents or any person in lawful possession of it, shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. The absconding without paying or offering to pay the hire shall be prima facie evidence of fraudulent intent.
(c) Failure to redeliver hired vehicle. Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle under an agreement to redeliver the vehicle to the person letting the motor vehicle or that person’s agent, at the termination of the period for which it was let, shall, without the consent of that person or those persons and with intent to defraud, abandon, or willfully refuse or neglect to redeliver the vehicle as agreed shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a misdemeanor. The failure to return the motor vehicle within seventy-two (72) hours of the time agreed shall be prima facie evidence of fraudulent intent and the vehicle shall be considered “stolen” for purposes of reporting the offense to the local police.
(d) Tampering with mileage device. Whoever, after hiring a motor vehicle from any person or persons under an agreement to pay for the use of the motor vehicle a sum of money determinable either in whole or in part upon the distance the motor vehicle travels during the period for which hired, removes, attempts to remove, tampers with, or attempts to tamper with or otherwise interfere with any odometer or other mechanical device attached to the hired motor vehicle for the purpose of registering the distance the vehicle travels, with the intent to deceive the person or persons letting the vehicle or their lawful agent as to the actual distance traveled, shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who shall knowingly aid, abet or assist another in violating the provisions of this subsection shall be proceeded against as a principal or as an accessory before the fact, and, upon conviction, shall suffer the same punishment as that to the principal offender is subject. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection may be charged with a violation in the city or town or county, as the case may be, where the odometer or other mechanical device:
(1) Is removed, or attempted to be removed, or tampered with; or attempted to be tampered with, or is otherwise interfered with;
(2) Where the persons knowingly aid, abet, or assist another to so remove, tamper with or otherwise interfere with the odometer or other mechanical device; or
(3) Where any part of the motor vehicle upon which is attached the odometer or other mechanical device is removed or attempted to be removed.
(e) Penalty. Any person convicted of violation of any provision of subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall be imprisoned for a term of not more than one year, or by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or both.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 279, § 40; G.L. 1909, ch. 345, § 44; G.L. 1923, ch. 397, § 44; G.L. 1938, ch. 608, § 44; G.L. 1956, § 11-18-20; P.L. 1965, ch. 179, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 78, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 11-18 - Fraud and False Dealing
Section 11-18-1. - Giving false document to agent, employee, or public official.
Section 11-18-1.1. - Fraudulent insurance claims for stolen motor vehicles.
Section 11-18-1.2. - False statement to obtain replacement public assistance check or authorization.
Section 11-18-1.3. - False statement to fraudulently obtain license or registration.
Section 11-18-2. - False information to registrar of vital statistics.
Section 11-18-3. - Fraudulent notice to newspaper of birth, marriage, or death.
Section 11-18-4. - Concealment of birth out of wedlock.
Section 11-18-5. - Misrepresentation of circulation of periodical.
Section 11-18-6. - False financial statement to obtain loan or credit.
Section 11-18-7. - Procuring loan or credit on faith of false statement.
Section 11-18-8. - False representations as to continuing truth of financial statements.
Section 11-18-9. - Penalty for financial misrepresentations.
Section 11-18-10. - False statements in advertising.
Section 11-18-11. - Immunity of publishers and advertising media.
Section 11-18-12. - Injunction of false advertising.
Section 11-18-13. - Deception in sale of fuels and lubricants.
Section 11-18-14. - Sale of fuels and lubricants other than those shown by trade name on container.
Section 11-18-15. - Imitation of trade symbols of fuels and lubricants.
Section 11-18-16. - Sale of fuels and lubricants under false trademark or name — Adulteration.
Section 11-18-17. - Delivery of fuels and lubricants into container bearing false trade name.
Section 11-18-18. - Penalty for violations with respect to fuels and lubricants.
Section 11-18-20. - Obtaining vehicles with intent to defraud.
Section 11-18-20.1. - Possession of false identification.
Section 11-18-21. - Cheating of coin-operated devices.
Section 11-18-22. - Manufacture or distribution of slugs.
Section 11-18-23. - Defacement or alteration of manufacturer’s serial number.
Section 11-18-24. - Penalty for serial number violations.
Section 11-18-25. - Concealment or transfer of property with intent to defraud creditors.
Section 11-18-26. - Obtaining food or accommodations with intent to defraud.
Section 11-18-27. - Sale of false diplomas or certificates.
Section 11-18-28. - False animal registrations and pedigrees.
Section 11-18-29. - Fraudulent stock certificates.
Section 11-18-30. - Prearranged funerals — Receipt of money with intent to defraud.
Section 11-18-31. - Solicitation in name of law enforcement agency.
Section 11-18-32. - Video, audio and publication rentals.
Section 11-18-33. - Defrauding the administration of a drug or alcohol test.