Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) RADIO Practice Exam

What identifies a crime that typically involves both entering illegally and taking property?

1. Burglary

2. Robbery

3. Vandalism

4. Theft

The correct answer is: Burglary

The term that identifies a crime involving both illegal entry and the taking of property is burglary. This offense is characterized by the act of unlawfully entering a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime inside, which often includes theft. The key components of burglary are the unlawful entry and the intent to commit a crime, which distinguishes it from other property crimes. Other related crimes, while they may involve property, each have distinct definitions. For instance, robbery involves the taking of property from a person or their immediate presence through force or intimidation. Vandalism refers to the deliberate destruction or damage of property without permission, while theft generally involves taking someone else's property but does not require unlawful entry as a component. Understanding these definitions clarifies why burglary is the correct identification of the crime in question.