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

Which offense is likely to involve the term "petty theft"?

1. Stealing a car stereo from an unattended vehicle

2. Illegally downloading music from the internet

3. Breaking into a bank vault

4. Shoplifting at a retail store

The correct answer is: Shoplifting at a retail store

Petty theft typically refers to the crime of stealing items of relatively low value, and shoplifting is a common example of this offense. When someone takes merchandise from a retail store without paying, it often falls under the category of petty theft, particularly if the value of the stolen items does not exceed a specific monetary threshold defined by law. This makes shoplifting an offense that is directly associated with petty theft. In contrast, stealing a car stereo from an unattended vehicle or breaking into a bank vault are generally considered more serious offenses, often classified as grand theft, due to the higher value involved or the nature of the crime itself. Similarly, illegally downloading music from the internet may involve copyright infringement but does not fit the traditional definition of theft involving physical property, especially with respect to the term "petty theft." Thus, the act of shoplifting at a retail store aligns most precisely with the legal definition and context of petty theft.