Larceny again: If property is taken without force or threats and without breaking into a structure, the offense is called?

• A. Robbery
• B. Burglary
• C. Larceny
• D. Embezzlement

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is taking someone else’s property without consent and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner. That describes larceny: a non-forceful, non-break-in taking of personal property with the intent to deprive. Since nothing is taken by force or threats and there’s no breaking into a structure, the act fits larceny rather than robbery (which requires force or intimidation), burglary (which involves breaking into a building to commit a crime), or embezzlement (which involves someone who already has lawful possession misappropriating the property). For example, slipping a wallet into a pocket unseen fits larceny because it’s a trespassory taking with intent to permanently deprive, even though there was no force or breaking.