Theft of Services; Defined

(a)A person is guilty of theft if he intentionally obtains services which he knows are available only for compensation, by deception or threat, or by false token or other means to avoid payment for the service. Services include labor, professional service, transportation, telephone or other public service, accommodation in hotels, restaurants or elsewhere, admission to exhibitions, use of vehicles or other movable property. Where compensation for services is ordinarily paid immediately upon the rendering of such service, as in the case of hotels and restaurants, absconding without payment or offer to pay gives rise to an COL9/7/2021 CH. 43 THEFT AND RELATED OFFENSES inference that the service was obtained by deception as to intention to pay.

(b)A person commits theft if, having control over the disposition of services of others, to which he is not entitled, he knowingly diverts such services to his own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto.