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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1 — Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 7: Damage to and Tampering with Property, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
Any person who breaks the seal or lock of any railroad car, vessel, aircraft, motortruck, wagon or other vehicle or of any pipeline system, containing shipments of freight or express or other property, or breaks and enters any such vehicle or pipeline system with the intent to commit larceny or any felony therein shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony; provided, however, that if such person is armed with a firearm at the time of such breaking and entering, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems ranges from a class 4 felony to a class 3 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1.

Breaking seal/lock or breaking and entering without firearm: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1) · Breaking and entering while armed with a firearm: class 3 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1)

Which Virginia statute covers breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems?

Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-147.1 (Breaking and entering into railroad cars, motortrucks, aircraft, etc., or pipeline systems).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.