Ark. Code Ann. § 5-36-126: Theft of a catalytic converter - Unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Catalytic converter" means an exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and pollutants from internal combustion engines; and (2) "Permanently marked" means marked in a permanent manner, including without limitation engraving or permanent ink, that clearly and legibly indicates the: (A) Date the catalytic converter was removed from the motor vehicle; and (B) Vehicle identification number, the last eight (8) digits of the vehicle identification number, or a stock number within an electronic database associated with a single vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle the catalytic converter was removed from. (b) A person commits theft of a catalytic converter if he or she commits, aids, or is an accomplice to a commission of theft of property under § 5-36-103(a) and the property is a catalytic converter. (c) A person commits unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter if the person: (1) Knowingly possesses a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and that is not permanently marked; and (2) Is not: (A) The owner of the motor vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed; or (B) Possessing the catalytic converter in the ordinary course of the person's business. (d) (1) Theft of a catalytic converter is a Class C felony. (2) The court may order a person convicted of theft of a catalytic converter to pay restitution for the value of the repair or replacement of the catalytic converter. (e) Unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter is a: (1) Class C felony if the person: (A) Has a prior conviction for unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter; or (B) In the course of the unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter, the person commits or attempts, conspires, or solicits another person to commit an offense related to a catalytic converter; or (2) Class D felony if otherwise committed. Amended by Act 2023, No. 709,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2023, No. 709,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023. Added by Act 2023, No. 264,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Catalytic converter" means an exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and pollutants from internal combustion engines; and (2) "Permanently marked" means marked in a permanent manner, including without limitation engraving or permanent ink, that clearly and legibly indicates the: (A) Date the catalytic converter was removed from the motor vehicle; and (B) Vehicle identification number, the last eight (8) digits of the vehicle identification number, or a stock number within an electronic database associated with a single vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle the catalytic converter was removed from.

(1) "Catalytic converter" means an exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and pollutants from internal combustion engines; and

(2) "Permanently marked" means marked in a permanent manner, including without limitation engraving or permanent ink, that clearly and legibly indicates the: (A) Date the catalytic converter was removed from the motor vehicle; and (B) Vehicle identification number, the last eight (8) digits of the vehicle identification number, or a stock number within an electronic database associated with a single vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle the catalytic converter was removed from.

(A) Date the catalytic converter was removed from the motor vehicle; and

(B) Vehicle identification number, the last eight (8) digits of the vehicle identification number, or a stock number within an electronic database associated with a single vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle the catalytic converter was removed from.

(b) A person commits theft of a catalytic converter if he or she commits, aids, or is an accomplice to a commission of theft of property under § 5-36-103(a) and the property is a catalytic converter.

he vehicle identification number, or a stock number within an electronic database associated with a single vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle the catalytic converter was removed from.

(b) A person commits theft of a catalytic converter if he or she commits, aids, or is an accomplice to a commission of theft of property under § 5-36-103(a) and the property is a catalytic converter.

(c) A person commits unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter if the person: (1) Knowingly possesses a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and that is not permanently marked; and (2) Is not: (A) The owner of the motor vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed; or (B) Possessing the catalytic converter in the ordinary course of the person's business.

(1) Knowingly possesses a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and that is not permanently marked; and

(2) Is not: (A) The owner of the motor vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed; or (B) Possessing the catalytic converter in the ordinary course of the person's business.

(A) The owner of the motor vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed; or

(B) Possessing the catalytic converter in the ordinary course of the person's business.

(d) (1) Theft of a catalytic converter is a Class C felony. (2) The court may order a person convicted of theft of a catalytic converter to pay restitution for the value of the repair or replacement of the catalytic converter.

(1) Theft of a catalytic converter is a Class C felony.

(2) The court may order a person convicted of theft of a catalytic converter to pay restitution for the value of the repair or replacement of the catalytic converter.

(e) Unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter is a: (1) Class C felony if the person: (A) Has a prior conviction for unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter; or (B) In the course of the unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter, the person commits or attempts, conspires, or solicits another person to commit an offense related to a catalytic converter; or (2) Class D felony if otherwise committed.

(1) Class C felony if the person: (A) Has a prior conviction for unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter; or (B) In the course of the unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter, the person commits or attempts, conspires, or solicits another person to commit an offense related to a catalytic converter; or

(A) Has a prior conviction for unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter; or

(B) In the course of the unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter, the person commits or attempts, conspires, or solicits another person to commit an offense related to a catalytic converter; or

(2) Class D felony if otherwise committed.