(a)        A person is guilty of safecracking if he unlawfully opens, enters, or attempts to open or enter a safe or vault :

(1)        By the use of explosives, drills, or tools; or

(2)        Through the use of a stolen combination, key, electronic device, or other fraudulently acquired implement or means; or

(3)        Through the use of a master key, duplicate key or device made or obtained in an unauthorized manner, stethoscope or other listening device, electronic device used for unauthorized entry in a safe or vault, or other surreptitious means; or

(4)        By the use of any other safecracking implement or means.

(b)        A person is also guilty of safecracking if he unlawfully removes from its premises a safe or vault for the purpose of stealing, tampering with, or ascertaining its contents.

(c)        Safecracking shall be punishable as a Class I felony. (1961, c. 653; 1973, c. 235, s. 1; 1977, c. 1106; 1979, c. 760, s. 5; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1316, s. 47; 1981, c. 63, s. 1, c. 179, s. 14; 1993, c. 539, s. 1176; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

Attorney's Note

Under the N.C. Gen. Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class I felonybetween 3 and 12 months
For details, see § 15A-1340.17

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