Vt. lawmakers at odds over retail theft bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont lawmakers are at odds over a bill on how to address the trend of retail theft that has swept the state in recent years.

Under Vermont law, anyone convicted of stealing merchandise valued at under $900 is charged with a misdemeanor. A House bill would make it a felony if a person is convicted of multiple misdemeanor retail thefts in a two-week period and in the same county.

The Senate made a number of changes, including not aggregating the crimes, but increasing the criminal penalties for first, second. third, and subsequent offenses. The amendments have forced the bill into a conference committee.

Senator Dick Sears, D-Bennington, says if lawmakers are unable to come to an agreement, the bill will likely die. “I’d be extremely disappointed personally. I think that many of my constituents -- particularly those that operate stores and those who shop in those stores -- because somebody is paying for the shoplifter. I think they would be extremely disappointed if we can’t deal with this problem,” Sears said.

Sears says if they can’t come to a resolution, lawmakers would try to find a compromise next session.

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