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

Which offense specifically refers to the theft of a bicycle?

1. Petty theft

2. Receiving stolen property

3. Petty theft--bicycle

4. Vehicle theft

The correct answer is: Petty theft--bicycle

The distinction of "Petty theft--bicycle" is significant because it explicitly categorizes the theft of a bicycle, differentiating it from other forms of petty theft. In legal terms, specific offenses allow for clearer classifications and, often, tailored penalties or treatment under the law. When someone commits petty theft involving a bicycle, it means they have unlawfully taken someone else's bicycle with the intent to deprive the owner of it. This specificity not only underscores the unique nature of bicycle theft but also provides law enforcement and the judicial system with a precise framework for addressing this issue, which can be different from general petty theft that might involve a wide range of merchandise. Other categories like receiving stolen property or vehicle theft do not directly refer to bicycle offenses and can encompass broader legal implications or different types of vehicles, hence they do not apply specifically to the act of stealing a bicycle.