Virginia state lawmakers approved legislation on Feb. 23 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, which was introduced by Republican Delegate Kathy Byron, would make it a Class 3 felony for anyone to conspire or act in concert with one or more people to steal retail merchandise that has a value exceeding $5,000 from one or more establishments within a three-month period, with the intent to sell the stolen goods for profit.
