§ 11-06-140. Generally—Injuring or tampering with vehicle.

It shall be unlawful for any person to individually or in association with one or more persons to:

(1)

Purposely and without authority from the owner, start or cause to be started, the motor of any motor vehicle; or

(2)

Purposely and maliciously shift or change the starting device or gears of a standing motor vehicle to a position other than that in which they were left by the owner or driver of such motor vehicle; or

(3)

Purposely scratch or damage the chassis, running gear, body, sides, top covering or upholstery of a motor vehicle, without permission of the owner thereof; or

(4)

Purposely destroy any part of a motor vehicle or purposely cut, mash, mark or in any other way destroy or damage any part, attachment, fastening or appurtenance of a motor vehicle, without the permission of the owner thereof; or

(5)

Purposely drain or start the drainage of any radiator or oil tank or gas tank upon a motor vehicle without the permission of the owner thereof; or

(6)

Purposely put any metallic or other substance or liquid in the radiator, carburetor, oil tank, grease cup, oilers, lamps, gas tanks or machinery of the motor vehicle with the intent to injure or damage the same or impede the working of the machinery thereof; or

(7)

Maliciously tighten or loosen any bracket, bolt, wire, nut, screw or other fastening on a motor vehicle; or

(8)

Purposely release the brake upon a standing motor vehicle, with the intent to injure such machine.

(Code 1960, § 6-3-15; Ord. No. 552, 1-11-77)

State law reference

Similar provisions, N.M.S.A. § 30-16-11.