The Case Of The Cart Snatcher: Is It Illegal To Take Store Shopping Carts In Michigan?

Abandoned shopping carts are everywhere in Michigan.

While I understand the convenience, before you take a shopping cart, you have to understand the cause and effect.

Dollar General Claps Back At Possible Cart Snatcher

While I was scrolling on Facebook, I came across a post in the Grand Rapids Informed group from Ericka Martinez.

As the store manager for one of Grand Rapids’ Dollar General stores, Ericka is fed up for a good reason.

“Hi EVERYONE… IM THE STORE MANAGER AT DOLLAR GENERAL ON LEONDAR STREET NE between FULLER and PLYMOTH.. People have been STEALING my store’s SHOPPING CARTS.. ‍♀️ so if anyone knows who the CART SNATCHER IS can you kindly tell them to please return my carts…or if anyone knows where they are please let me know or please return them to my store… THANK YOU”

After seeing this Facebook post, it made me think.

Is it illegal to take shopping carts from any store in Michigan?

Stealing Store Shopping?!

There is a law in Michigan that covers stealing shopping carts.

“Any person removing a shopping cart from the premises of an owner, without the written permission of the owner or the owner’s authorized agent, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor larceny. Michigan carries two misdemeanor-level penalties for larceny Michigan State Law 750.356.”

According to the state legislature, if you steal a shopping cart, you can face a possible punishment that includes up to 1 year in prison and a fine of not more than $2,000 or 3 times the value of the stolen property, whichever is greater.

So, before you decide to steal a shopping cart, you might want to think twice!