1924

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 687

provisions of Chapter 849 of the Acts of the General

Assembly of 1978) be and it is hereby repealed and
reenacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments

[353A.] 207.

Any person who receives physical possession of goods or
things of value under a written contract or written lease
for the purpose of leasing or renting the use of the same
for a valuable consideration notwithstanding any option to
purchase (other than for a nominal consideration) said goods
or things of value provided, however, that the lease
containing the option shall not be for a period of longer
than six months and who fraudulently converts the same to
his own use shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and
shall restore the goods or things so converted or pay the
full value to the owner thereof or to the person who
delivered the goods and things, and upon conviction be fined
not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned for not
more than sixty days or both fined and imprisoned. The
failure to return to the possession of, or to account for
said goods or things with, the person who delivered the
goods and things at the time or in the manner described in
said written contract or written lease shall be prima facie
evidence of intent to fraudulently convert; provided that if
such person is a bona fide resident of the State of Maryland
and returns to the possession of, or accounts for said goods
or things with, the person who delivered the same prior to
the expiration of ten days after a written demand for the
return of said goods or things has been mailed by certified
or registered United States mail, return receipt requested,
addressed to the person who was so entrusted at his address
which is last known to the person who delivered the said
goods and things, such person who was so entrusted shall not
be prosecuted under this section; and no prosecution either
by presentment, indictment, or otherwise shall be instituted
or commenced until after the expiration of said period of
ten days.

SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 33A

of Article 27 — Crimes and Punishments (as enacted by

provisions of Chapter 849 of the Acts of the General
Assembly of 1978) be and it is hereby repealed and
reenacted, with amendments, to read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

33A.

If any person shall break into any shop, storehouse,
tobacco house, warehouse, or other building, although the
same be not contiguous to or used with any mansion house, or
into any boat, craft, or vessel, with intent to steal any
money, goods or chattels under the value of [one hundred