New Enhancements for Breaking or Entering Motor Vehicles and Other Conveyances

Effective December 1, 2023, Session Law 2023-151 amended G.S. 14-56 (Breaking or entering into or breaking out of railroad cars, motor vehicles, trailers, aircrafts, boats, or other watercraft) to provide for sentencing enhancements based on the aggregated value of any property taken. In amending the statute, the General Assembly added elements – taking and value – to these enhanced crimes. The General Assembly also amended G.S. 14-86.1 (Seizure and forfeiture of conveyances used in committing larceny and similar crimes) to include violating G.S. 14-56 as a basis for vehicle seizure and forfeiture. This post will review the statutory amendments and new elements, and consider whether a person may also be convicted of and punished for larceny in connection with a violation of G.S. 14-56.

Breaking or Entering (or Exiting) a Motor Vehicle

The two offenses described in G.S. 14-56(a) are: (1) breaking or entering into a motor vehicle (or other conveyance) containing any goods, wares, freights, or other thing of value, with the intent to commit any felony or larceny; and (2) breaking or exiting out of a motor vehicle (or other conveyance) containing any goods, wares, freights, or other thing of value, after having committed any felony or larceny. As described, these are Class I felonies.