30-53-1: Creation of a safety hazard or disruption of communications and utilities services by theft or intentional damage.

A. Any person who by the theft of, or by intentionally damaging, communications or public utility equipment, whether customer - or utility-owned, creates a public safety hazard or causes a disruption of communications services or public utility services to ten or more households, customers or subscribers or causes monetary damage equal to or greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000) in value of equipment shall be guilty of a:

(1) misdemeanor for a first and second offense, punishable pursuant to Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978; or

(2) fourth degree felony for third and subsequent offenses, punishable pursuant to Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.

B. As used in this section, "equipment" means utility system materials, including communications towers and associated material, telephone lines, railroad and other industrial safety communication devices or systems, electric towers, electric transformers, metering equipment, electric grounding wires and electric and natural gas transmission and distribution facilities.