Dominican Republic toughens penalties for cell phone theft to up to 20 years

The Dominican Republic has introduced stricter penalties for cell phone theft under its new Penal Code, classifying it as an aggravated crime with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years. This significant increase in punishment reflects the alarming frequency of such thefts across the country, according to Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso.

Reynoso highlighted that cell phone theft is among the most common crimes, prompting the government to implement tougher measures. The new law, Law 72-25, which took effect a week ago, introduces 70 new offenses and revises 109 existing ones. It also elevates the penalties for metal theft, identified as the third most frequently stolen item after motorcycles, which rank second.

The attorney general pointed out the economic disparity in metal theft, where stolen materials costing the state over $300 to install are sold by thieves for as little as 70 pesos. Beyond the financial loss, she emphasized that these thefts often endanger citizens' lives.

Generally, aggravated robbery carries a base sentence of five to ten years. However, this can be substantially increased due to provisions for the accumulation of penalties. Specific circumstances that now qualify a robbery as aggravated include using a motor vehicle, committing the crime at public transport hubs, causing evident damage to the victim's property, using masks or disguises, committing the act at night, or if the perpetrator is an employee of the victim. Penalties are even more severe, up to 20 years, if the theft targets public property or property dedicated to public service.