One who finds lost property under circumstances which gives him knowledge or means of inquiry as to the true owner, and who appropriates such property to his own use, or to the use of another person who is not entitled thereto, without having first made such effort to find the owner and restore the property to him as the circumstances render reasonable and just, is guilty of larceny punishable as follows:

1. If the value of the property is less than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00), the person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one (1) year, or by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine;

2. If the value of the property is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or more but less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), the person shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not to exceed two (2) years, or in the county jail not to exceed one (1) year, or by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine;

3. If the value of the property is Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) or more but less than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), the person shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not to exceed five (5) years, or in the county jail not to exceed one (1) year, or by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine; and

4. If the value of the property is Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) or more, the person shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not to exceed eight (8) years, or by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine.

R.L. 1910, § 2653. Amended by Laws 2018, c. 116, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 2018.