Listen up 'porch pirates': Texas Gov. Abbott signs bill making package theft a felony
Deputies are searching for a tuxedo jacket-wearing porch pirate who stole packages from a house located in the 14700 block of North Eldridge Parkway.
HOUSTON – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is making it a felony to be a porch pirate.
The governor signed HB 37 , which redefines criminal penalties for mail theft in Texas. The law will go into effect on September 1.
Read the full law here.
According to the law, mail theft is a misdemeanor if mail is stolen from fewer than 10 people with a fine of $4,000, but becomes a felony if more than 10 people were victims of the thefts. Jail time ranges from 180 days to 10 years in prison with the option of a fine of up to $10,000.
Additional penalties could be levied if identifying information was included in the stolen mail or the person targeted were elderly or disabled.
Read more here.
Copyright 2019 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
Storms are heading towards Houston this Saturday! ▶ 1:21
Storms are heading towards Houston this Saturday!
Houston, we have a DEAL! Alloy Personal Training teams up with Houston Life to help YOU save big ▶ 0:45
Houston, we have a DEAL! Alloy Personal Training teams up with Houston Life to help YOU save big
Pastor’s daughter shot arriving home from church; boyfriend uses car to stop suspected shooter ▶ 1:07
Pastor’s daughter shot arriving home from church; boyfriend uses car to stop suspected shooter
Houston mayor rejects filing Temporary Restraining Order as ordinance fight threatens funding ▶ 1:19
Houston mayor rejects filing Temporary Restraining Order as ordinance fight threatens funding
Magnolia mayor arrested, charged with felony assault of pregnant woman ▶ 1:16
Magnolia mayor arrested, charged with felony assault of pregnant woman
Astros pitcher Josh Hader seen on the mound as he recovers from biceps tendinitis ▶ 1:25
Astros pitcher Josh Hader seen on the mound as he recovers from biceps tendinitis
Troy Finner hired as Missouri City Police Chief nearly 2 years after HPD scandal, retirement ▶ 1:15
Troy Finner hired as Missouri City Police Chief nearly 2 years after HPD scandal, retirement
Former Goose Creek CISD high school counselor wanted for alleged sexual relationship with student ▶ 1:01
Former Goose Creek CISD high school counselor wanted for alleged sexual relationship with student
Here's why lovebugs are EVERYWHERE in Houston! ▶ 0:37
Here's why lovebugs are EVERYWHERE in Houston!
Texas EquuSearch joins search for missing 8-month pregnant woman last seen in Houston ▶ 1:16
Texas EquuSearch joins search for missing 8-month pregnant woman last seen in Houston
Houston's work week forecast ▶ 0:52
Houston's work week forecast
Texans GM Nick Caserio calls C.J. Stroud's 5th-year option a 'no-brainer' ▶ 1:56
Texans GM Nick Caserio calls C.J. Stroud's 5th-year option a 'no-brainer'
Sunday storm timeline ▶ 0:45
Sunday storm timeline
Big changes are coming to the Toyota Center ▶ 1:23
Big changes are coming to the Toyota Center
Parada de tráfico termina en muerte en el norte de Houston. ▶ 1:50
Parada de tráfico termina en muerte en el norte de Houston.
Traffic stop turns deadly in north Houston. ▶ 1:47
Traffic stop turns deadly in north Houston.
Gunman waves weapon at homes during attempted theft of Ford Raptor in Braeswood neighborhood ▶ 0:55
Gunman waves weapon at homes during attempted theft of Ford Raptor in Braeswood neighborhood
Next Level Couple?? We'd watch that🤷 Watch Chef Machete and Chef Amber play a round ofrapid fire ▶ 2:22
Next Level Couple?? We'd watch that🤷 Watch Chef Machete and Chef Amber play a round ofrapid fire
$20K bond set for teacher accused of staging hoax ▶ 1:32
$20K bond set for teacher accused of staging hoax
Will there ever by a category 6 hurricane? ▶ 1:04
Will there ever by a category 6 hurricane?
Anthony Yanez at the National Tropical Weather Conference ▶ 1:48
Anthony Yanez at the National Tropical Weather Conference
Fort Bend County Judge KP George suspended after felony conviction last month ▶ 1:27
Fort Bend County Judge KP George suspended after felony conviction last month
Anybody else obsessed with Artemis II right now? ▶ 1:09
Anybody else obsessed with Artemis II right now?
Armed suspect taken into custody at Missouri City golf course pond ▶ 1:14
Armed suspect taken into custody at Missouri City golf course pond
Parents react after lockdown situation causes panic at Splendora High School ▶ 2:59
Parents react after lockdown situation causes panic at Splendora High School
Previous photo Next photo