(a) Offense defined.--A person who obtains personal property under an agreement for the lease or rental of the property is guilty of theft if he intentionally deals with the property as his own. (b) Definition.--As used in this section: (1) A person 'deals with the property as his own' if he sells, secretes, destroys, converts to his own use or otherwise disposes of the property. (2) A 'written demand to return the property is delivered' when it is sent simultaneously by first class mail, evidenced by a certificate of mailing, and by registered or certified mail to the address provided by the lessee. (c) Presumption.--A person shall be prima facie presumed to have intent if he: (1) signs the lease or rental agreement with a name other than his own and fails to return the property within the time specified in the agreement; or (2) fails to return the property to its owner within seven days after a written demand to return the property is delivered. (d) Exception.--This section shall not apply to secured transactions as defined in Title 13 (relating to commercial code). (Aug. 8, 1977, P.L.184, No.49, eff. 90 days; Nov. 1, 1979, P.L.255, No.86, eff. Exception.--This section shall not apply to secured transactions as defined in Title 13 (relating to commercial code). (Aug. 8, 1977, P.L.184, No.49, eff. 90 days; Nov. 1, 1979, P.L.255, No.86, eff. Jan. 1, 1980; Oct. 9, 2008, P.L.1403, No.111, eff. imd.) 2008 Amendment. Act 111 amended subsecs. (b) and (c)(2). Cross References. Section 3932 is referred to in sections 5552, 8310 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).
Pennsylvania Legal Code