No person shall, without the consent of the owner or person in charge of a vehicle, climb into or upon such vehicle with the intent to commit any crime, malicious mischief or injury thereto or, while a vehicle is at rest and unattended, attempt to manipulate any of the levers, starting crank or other starting device, brakes or other mechanism thereof or to set the vehicle in motion.

This section shall not apply when any such act is done in an emergency in furtherance of public safety or convenience or by or under the direction of an officer in the regulation of traffic or performance of any other official duty.

36 Del. Laws, c. 10, § ?31; Code 1935, § ?5569; 21 Del. C. 1953, § ?6703;