What New Penalties For Theft Mean For Wyoming Residents

I've never been a big fan of reality TV shows like The Kardashians, Real World, Big Brother, or Real Housewives of (enter city here). I really enjoy shows that deal with real-world issues, like living as a mountain man, hunting shows, and cop/crime shows. I've been binging a show called Alaska State Troopers, and have been noticing that when people get busted for petty crimes, like shoplifting, the first thing they do when they get caught is to lay on very thick apologies.

It always amazes me how everyone is SO SORRY, and yet it's their third offense in a week. Sure, I get it, people are falling on hard times and are struggling to make ends meet. In my mind, my first thought is that I need to find a job, a better job, or another job to help my financial situation.

That's exactly what those people who like to use the unauthorized 'Five-Finger Discount' may need to start contemplating a career change in Wyoming. The Evansville PD posted on Facebook earlier this month that beginning in July, if you steal, it's not just a slap on the wrist anymore.

A law change, W.S. 6-3-402, that will take effect on July 1, 2026, basically states that if you get busted, your butt can be sitting in jail for up to a year, and you can be paying a $1,500 fine if the property's value is less than $1,000.

If you decide it's a good idea to keep stealing and get busted a third time, you can be heading to prison for up to 10 years, with a possibility of a $10,000 fine.

Don't even think about using theft-shielding devices; if you're caught, it's even more jail time and fines.

The crackdown is on!