Connecticut Larceny Laws: Felony Threshold, Degrees and Shoplifting

In Connecticut, larceny becomes a felony when the property or service is worth more than $2,000: under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) 53a-124, larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony, applies when "The value of the property or service exceeds two thousand dollars." Larceny of $2,000 or less is a misdemeanor in the fourth, fifth or sixth degree, but some property, including a motor vehicle, a firearm or anything taken from the person of another, makes the theft a felony at any value. For other states, see our guide to theft laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-13. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Connecticut larceny law in Chapter 952 of the General Statutes (C.G.S. 53a-119 to 53a-127f and 53a-212), the sentencing sections 53a-35a, 53a-36, 53a-40, 53a-41 and 53a-42, organized retail theft under C.G.S. 53-142k, and civil liability for shoplifting under C.G.S. 52-564a. It does not cover federal theft offenses, municipal ordinances, robbery, burglary, identity theft or credit card crimes, which have their own pages or sections linked below.

What counts as larceny in Connecticut

Connecticut uses one offense, larceny, for most kinds of theft. Under C.G.S. 53a-119, "A person commits larceny when, with intent to deprive another of property or to appropriate the same to such person or a third person, such person wrongfully takes, obtains or withholds such property from an owner."

The same section says larceny "includes, but is not limited to," a list of named forms, among them embezzlement, obtaining property by false pretenses or false promise, keeping lost or misdelivered property, extortion, defrauding a public community, theft of services, receiving stolen property, shoplifting, conversion of a rented motor vehicle, fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, library theft, conversion of leased property, theft of utility service, air bag fraud, theft of motor fuel, and, since October 1, 2026, fostering the sale of stolen property and gift card crime (both added by Public Act 26-130). Fostering the sale of stolen property covers a person who "hosts, advertises or otherwise assists in the sale of stolen property, including through an online platform, knowing or believing that such property has been stolen" (C.G.S. 53a-119(19)). Each is larceny, so each is graded by the degree statutes below unless a separate section sets its own grade.

Connecticut larceny penalties by value

The degree depends on the value of the property or service. The class sets the range: C.G.S. 53a-36 (misdemeanor jail, with C.G.S. 53a-36a capping any offense punishable by up to one year at "a period not to exceed three hundred sixty-four days"), 53a-42 (misdemeanor fines), 53a-35a (felony prison terms) and 53a-41 (felony fines).

These are the ordinary statutory ranges for each class, not a prediction of any sentence. C.G.S. 53a-35a sets the felony terms "unless the section of the general statutes that defines or provides the penalty for the crime specifically provides otherwise," and the persistent offender rules in C.G.S. 53a-40, described below, let a court go higher for people with qualifying prior convictions.

Each value line uses the word "exceeds." Larceny of property worth exactly $2,000 is therefore larceny in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor, not a felony.

How value is measured

Under C.G.S. 53a-121(a)(1), "value means the market value of the property or services at the time and place of the crime or, if such cannot be satisfactorily ascertained, the cost of replacement of the property or services within a reasonable time after the crime." When value cannot be satisfactorily ascertained, "its value shall be deemed to be an amount less than fifty dollars" (C.G.S. 53a-121(a)(3)).

Separate thefts can be combined: "Amounts included in thefts committed pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, whether from the same person or several persons, may be aggregated in determining the grade of the offense" (C.G.S. 53a-121(b)). For fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, all instances "in any six-month period may be combined and charged as one offense, with the value of all property obtained thereby being accumulated" (C.G.S. 53a-119(11)).

Larceny that is a felony regardless of value

Several provisions put a larceny into a felony degree because of what was taken, how, or from whom:

• From the person. Larceny in the second degree (Class C felony) applies when "the property, regardless of its nature or value, is taken from the person of another" (C.G.S. 53a-123(a)(2)).
• Older, conserved, blind or disabled victims. Larceny in the second degree also applies when "the property, regardless of its nature or value, is obtained by embezzlement, false pretenses or false promise and the victim of such larceny is sixty years of age or older, or is a conserved person, as defined in section 45a-644, or is blind or physically disabled, as defined in section 1-1f" (C.G.S. 53a-123(a)(4)). That rule covers those three methods, not every kind of larceny.
• Emergency telecommunications. Taking "wire, cable or other equipment used in the provision of telecommunications service" is second-degree larceny when "the taking of such property causes an interruption in the provision of emergency telecommunications service" (C.G.S. 53a-123(a)(5)).
• Defrauding a public community. It is second-degree larceny when the value is $2,000 or less (C.G.S. 53a-123(a)(3)) and first-degree larceny, a Class B felony, when the value exceeds $2,000 (C.G.S. 53a-122(a)(3)).
• Extortion. Property obtained by extortion is first-degree larceny "regardless of its nature and value" (C.G.S. 53a-122(a)(1)).
• Public records and trade secrets. Larceny in the third degree also covers "a public record, writing or instrument kept, held or deposited according to law with or in the keeping of any public office or public servant," and items that record "a secret scientific or technical process, invention or formula" (C.G.S. 53a-124(a)(2)-(3)).
• Motor vehicles. Under C.G.S. 53a-119c(c), "Larceny of a motor vehicle is (1) a class E felony for a first offense, (2) a class D felony for a second offense, and (3) a class B felony for any subsequent offense." "Motor vehicle" here includes "construction equipment, agricultural tractor or farm implement or major component part of any of the above." A Class E felony carries up to 3 years and a fine up to $3,500 (C.G.S. 53a-35a(9), 53a-41(5)).
• Firearms. Under C.G.S. 53a-212(b), "Stealing a firearm is a class C felony for which two years of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court, and five thousand dollars of the fine imposed may not be remitted or reduced by the court unless the court states on the record its reasons for remitting or reducing such fine."

Repeat larceny: persistent offender sentencing

The degree statutes themselves grade by value and the listed property; C.G.S. 53a-40 supplies the repeat-offender rules that can raise the sentence:

• Persistent larceny offender. C.G.S. 53a-40(e) defines this as a person who "stands convicted of" larceny in the fourth, fifth or sixth degree (or third-degree larceny under the version of 53a-124 in effect before October 1, 1982) and "has been, at separate times, twice convicted of the crime of larceny for violations committed during the ten years prior to the commission of the present larceny." For a violation on or after October 1, 2019, the court may impose "imprisonment for a class E felony" if the present conviction is fourth-degree larceny, or the sentence "for the next more serious degree of misdemeanor" if it is fifth- or sixth-degree larceny (C.G.S. 53a-40(m)(2)).
• Persistent felony offender. A person who "stands convicted of a felony other than a class D or E felony" and has been twice convicted, at separate times, of such felonies committed during the previous ten years may receive the sentence "for the next more serious degree of felony," with at least three years that "may not be suspended or reduced by the court" (C.G.S. 53a-40(g), (o)).
• Persistent serious felony offender. A person who "stands convicted of a felony" and was previously "convicted of and imprisoned under an imposed term of more than one year" may also receive the sentence for "the next more serious degree of felony" (C.G.S. 53a-40(c), (k)).

Larceny of a motor vehicle carries its own repeat ladder in C.G.S. 53a-119c, from Class E to Class D to Class B.

Other theft offenses with their own grades

Chapter 952 contains several theft-type offenses that set their own grades instead of following the larceny degrees:

Chapter 952 also contains separate graded offenses for telephone fraud (C.G.S. 53a-125c to 53a-125h), issuing a bad check (C.G.S. 53a-128), cheating (C.G.S. 53a-127d, a Class D felony or Class B misdemeanor), possession of a cheating device (C.G.S. 53a-127e, a Class D felony), payment card crimes (C.G.S. 53a-128a to 53a-128i), misapplication of property (C.G.S. 53a-129, a Class A misdemeanor) and identity theft (C.G.S. 53a-129a to 53a-129e).

Shoplifting in Connecticut

Connecticut treats shoplifting as a form of larceny. Under C.G.S. 53a-119(9), "A person is guilty of shoplifting who intentionally takes possession of any goods, wares or merchandise offered or exposed for sale by any store or other mercantile establishment with the intention of converting the same to such person's own use, without paying the purchase price thereof." The same subdivision adds a presumption: a person "intentionally concealing unpurchased goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, either on the premises or outside the premises of such store, shall be prima facie presumed to have so concealed such article with the intention of converting the same to such person's own use without paying the purchase price thereof."

Because shoplifting is larceny, it is graded by value under the table above. A first shoplifting offense involving goods worth $500 or less is larceny in the sixth degree, a Class C misdemeanor; goods worth more than $2,000 make it a Class D felony. The statutes grade the offense; they do not say what sentence a court will impose within the range. Repeat larceny convictions can bring the persistent larceny offender rule into play.

Carrying a tool meant to beat store security is its own crime. Under C.G.S. 53a-127f, possessing "any device, instrument or other thing specifically designed or adapted to advance or facilitate the offense of larceny by shoplifting... by defeating any antitheft or inventory control device, under circumstances manifesting an intent to use the same in the commission of larceny by shoplifting," is a Class A misdemeanor.

Organized retail theft

C.G.S. 53-142k(b) makes it organized retail theft when a person, "for financial gain and in conjunction with one or more other persons, commits larceny by shoplifting... of retail property having an aggregate value exceeding two thousand dollars and (1) wrongfully takes such property during a period of three hundred sixty-five days, or (2) sells, delivers or otherwise transfers such property to a retail property fence." Public Act 26-130 lengthened that period from one hundred eighty days, effective October 1, 2026. Value here means "the retail value of an item as advertised by the affected retail establishment, including applicable taxes" (C.G.S. 53-142k(a)(2)).

Receiving, storing or selling property taken that way, "including through the use of an online platform, Internet web site or electronic device," "with the intent to distribute the proceeds or otherwise promote, manage, carry on or facilitate" the theft, is accessory to organized retail theft (C.G.S. 53-142k(c)). Either offense is "a class D felony, except that, if such person derives a financial benefit of ten thousand dollars or more as a result of such violation, such person shall be guilty of a class C felony" (C.G.S. 53-142k(e)).

Can a store detain someone suspected of shoplifting?

Within narrow limits. Under C.G.S. 53a-119a(a), a store owner, agent or employee who sees a person concealing goods, or taking them from the premises without paying, "may question such person as to his name and address" and, with "reasonable grounds to believe that the person so questioned was then attempting to commit or was committing larceny of such goods on the premises," "may detain such person for a time sufficient to summon a police officer to the premises." The person questioned "shall promptly identify himself by name and address," and "No other information shall be required of such person until a police officer has taken him into custody."

"Reasonable grounds" include knowing that the person concealed unpurchased merchandise, altered or removed its labels, or is leaving with unpurchased or concealed merchandise. In a later civil suit by the detained person, evidence of reasonable grounds "shall create a rebuttable presumption" that the person was committing or attempting larceny (C.G.S. 53a-119a(c)).

Civil liability: can a store make you pay after shoplifting?

C.G.S. 52-564a lets a store sue "Any person eighteen years of age or older or an emancipated minor" who takes merchandise without paying, or "who alters the price indicia of such goods or merchandise." The person is liable for:

1. "the actual and reasonable costs of maintaining the action, including court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee,"
2. "the retail value of the goods, merchandise or produce taken, if not recovered by the time of the commencement of the action or if recovered in an unmerchantable condition," and
3. "punitive damages in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars." Public Act 26-130 raised that cap from three hundred dollars, effective October 1, 2026.

"A conviction of larceny by shoplifting... shall not be a condition precedent to the maintenance of a civil action under this section" (C.G.S. 52-564a(b)). The rule cuts both ways: "if the plaintiff does not prevail, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the defendant" (C.G.S. 52-564a(c), as amended by Public Act 26-130 effective October 1, 2026, which removed the defendant's former award of up to three hundred dollars in damages). The action must be brought "within two years from the date of the act complained of" (C.G.S. 52-564a(d)).

Section 52-564a sets what a store can recover in court; it does not say how a particular demand letter should be answered. A lawyer licensed in Connecticut can advise on a specific letter.

Recent changes to Connecticut larceny law

• Retail theft and civil liability (October 1, 2026). Public Act 26-130 (House Bill 5563), effective October 1, 2026, lengthened the organized retail theft period in C.G.S. 53-142k(b) from 180 to 365 days, added conduct "through the use of an online platform, Internet web site or electronic device" to accessory to organized retail theft, added fostering the sale of stolen property and gift card crime as forms of larceny in C.G.S. 53a-119, raised the punitive damages cap in C.G.S. 52-564a from $300 to $1,000, and removed the up-to-$300 damages award to a defendant when the store does not prevail.
• Motor vehicle larceny (October 1, 2022). Public Act 22-115 (Substitute House Bill 5417) created C.G.S. 53a-119c, effective October 1, 2022, grading larceny of a motor vehicle as a Class E, D or B felony by offense count. In the same act, sections 8 to 10 amended the degree statutes, effective October 1, 2022: they deleted the motor vehicle tiers from larceny in the first degree ("the property consists of a motor vehicle, the value of which exceeds twenty thousand dollars"), second degree ("the property consists of a motor vehicle, the value of which exceeds ten thousand dollars") and third degree ("the property consists of a motor vehicle, the value of which is ten thousand dollars or less"), deleted the motor vehicle definitions from those sections, and renumbered the remaining subdivisions. Public Act 22-115 did not change the general dollar lines.
• Higher value lines (Public Act 09-138). The history notes to the degree statutes record that Public Act 09-138 raised the lines to their current amounts: third degree from more than $1,000 to more than $2,000, second degree from more than $5,000 to more than $10,000, first degree from more than $10,000 to more than $20,000, fourth degree from more than $500 to more than $1,000, fifth degree from more than $250 to more than $500, and the sixth-degree ceiling from $250 to $500.

Related legal issues

A larceny charge often sits next to other questions. Larceny by false pretenses and other fraud schemes are covered in Connecticut scam and fraud laws. Misuse of another person's identifying information is covered in Connecticut identity theft laws. Whether an old larceny conviction can be erased is covered in Connecticut expungement laws, and the time limits for bringing charges are in our guide to the Connecticut statute of limitations.

Federal theft offenses are covered on our theft laws by state hub.

Related

• Theft laws by state
• Connecticut scam and fraud laws
• Connecticut identity theft laws
• Connecticut expungement laws
• Connecticut statute of limitations

This page provides general legal information about Connecticut larceny statutes as of October 13, 2026. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Connecticut.

Last updated: 2026-10-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the felony theft amount in Connecticut?

Larceny becomes a felony when the value of the property or service exceeds $2,000. That is larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony with an ordinary statutory range of up to 5 years and a fine up to $5,000 (C.G.S. 53a-124, 53a-35a, 53a-41).

Is stealing $2,000 a felony in Connecticut?

Not by value alone. The third-degree line is property that exceeds two thousand dollars, so exactly $2,000 is larceny in the fourth degree, a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to 364 days and a fine up to $2,000 (C.G.S. 53a-125, 53a-36a). It is a felony at any value if, for example, the property was taken from the person of another or is a motor vehicle or firearm.

What is petty theft in Connecticut?

Connecticut's statutes do not use the term petty theft. Larceny of $500 or less is larceny in the sixth degree, a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to 3 months in jail and a fine up to $500 (C.G.S. 53a-125b, 53a-36, 53a-42).

Is shoplifting a felony in Connecticut?

Shoplifting is larceny under C.G.S. 53a-119(9) and is graded by value, so it is a felony when the goods are worth more than $2,000. Organized retail theft, shoplifting more than $2,000 in retail property for financial gain with others, is a Class D felony, or Class C if the person gains $10,000 or more (C.G.S. 53-142k).

Is stealing a car a felony in Connecticut?

Yes. Since October 1, 2022, larceny of a motor vehicle is a Class E felony for a first offense, a Class D felony for a second offense and a Class B felony for any later offense, even when the vehicle is worth little (C.G.S. 53a-119c).

Is stealing a gun a felony in Connecticut?

Yes. Stealing a firearm is a Class C felony, and two years of the sentence may not be suspended or reduced by the court (C.G.S. 53a-212).

What is a persistent larceny offender in Connecticut?

Under C.G.S. 53a-40(e), it is a person convicted of fourth-, fifth- or sixth-degree larceny who has twice before been convicted of larceny, at separate times, for violations committed in the previous ten years. The court may then impose a Class E felony sentence for fourth-degree larceny, or the next more serious misdemeanor sentence for fifth- or sixth-degree larceny (C.G.S. 53a-40(m)(2)).

Can a store sue for shoplifting in Connecticut?

Yes. Under C.G.S. 52-564a, a store can sue a person 18 or older or an emancipated minor for its costs and reasonable attorney's fees, the retail value of goods not recovered in sellable condition, and punitive damages up to $1,000 (raised from $300 by Public Act 26-130, effective October 1, 2026), and no conviction is required. If the store loses, the court may award the defendant costs and reasonable attorney's fees.

Can a Connecticut store detain a suspected shoplifter?

A store owner, agent or employee may ask the person's name and address and, with reasonable grounds to believe the person was committing larceny on the premises, detain the person for a time sufficient to summon a police officer (C.G.S. 53a-119a).