It is against the law to have a tool, key, explosive, or even a drawing or mold of one, that is meant to break into or steal from a vending machine or any pay-to-use machine. A person has to actually plan to steal from the machine for it to be a crime. This is a class A misdemeanor. The owner of the machine can also sue the person in court and may get triple the amount of money they lost, plus lawyer fees.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
569.075. Possessing a tool to break into a — . — 1. A person commits the of possessing a tool to break into a vending machine if he or she possesses any key, tool, , explosive, or similar device, or a drawing, print, of a key, tool, instrument, explosive, or device designed to open, break into, with, or damage a coin-operated vending machine or any other machine or device which is activated by the customer depositing some form of payment, with the intent to commit a theft from such machine.
2. The owner of a coin-operated vending machine or any other machine or device which is activated by the customer depositing some form of payment may maintain a against any person who has been of a violation of this section. If such owner of a coin-operated vending machine or any other machine or device which is activated by the customer depositing some form of payment in such , the court may , reasonable , and .
3. The offense of of a tool to break into a vending machine is a .
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Source & history notes
(L. 1995 S.B. 446 §§ 1, 2, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491) Transferred 2014; formerly 578.445; Effective 1-01-17
Related Missouri laws
Tampering in the first degree
RSMo 569.080
Negligent burning or exploding
RSMo 569.065
Trespass on a critical infrastructure facility
RSMo 569.086
Tampering in the second degree
RSMo 569.090
Reckless burning or exploding
RSMo 569.060
Tampering with computer data
RSMo 569.095
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.