Heightened Penalties For Stealing From Seniors In Bergen County

If you are familiar with theft laws in New Jersey, you may know that your penalties are based on the value of the items you allegedly stole. The higher the value, the higher the penalties. However, your penalties can also increase due to other aggravating factors. What happens if you steal from a senior citizen in New Jersey? Could you face heightened penalties? This is something you might want to discuss with a Bergen County defense attorney.

Senior Theft is Relatively Common 

Scams and thefts involving senior victims are common for obvious reasons. These senior citizens are vulnerable, often suffering from cognitive decline and general confusion about modern technology. As such, criminals often attempt to steal from them or scam them in various ways.

In August of 2025, Patch reported that a man had taken $25,000 from a senior citizen as part of a home improvement scam. This type of fraud is common throughout New Jersey, and fraudulent contractors use various methods to appropriate funds from vulnerable seniors.

In September of 2025, the Department of Justice announced eight arrests in connection with an initiative called “Save Our Seniors.” The eight defendants are allegedly responsible for over $11 million in theft from almost 140 people, including many seniors. Some of these defendants allegedly carried out customer support scams.

These arrests not only highlight the frequency of senior financial exploitation in New Jersey today, but also the dedication law enforcement shows in tracking down anyone who targets seniors.

Does New Jersey Enforce Heightened Penalties for Stealing From Seniors? 

Yes, New Jersey enforces heightened penalties for those who steal from seniors. “Theft by financial exploitation of a vulnerable person” can upgrade normal theft charges. For example, you would normally face a disorderly persons offense for stealing $200 or less. But if you steal this amount from a vulnerable senior, it becomes a crime of the fourth degree.

If you steal more than $200 from a senior, you could face a crime of the third degree and up to five years in prison. This might include stealing a package from a senior’s porch or a bicycle from their yard. For those who engage in more extensive scams against seniors, penalties may increase even further. For example, someone who steals tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars from a New Jersey senior could spend decades behind bars.

Even if you face charges for a low-level theft against a senior, it is worth contacting an experienced defense attorney. Your consequences could be far more severe than you realize.

Can a Bergen County Defense Attorney Help Me? 

A Bergen County defense attorney may be able to help if you face heightened penalties after allegedly stealing from a senior. Theft from a senior can lead to serious consequences in New Jersey, and the most significant penalties involve decades in prison. If you face these penalties, discuss your options with Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law today.

Sources: 

justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/save-our-seniors-efforts-results-eight-arrests

patch.com/new-jersey/ridgewood/man-scammed-glen-rock-nj-senior-out-25k-police