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

Which situation would categorize a crime as burglary?

1. Stealing personal items from a car

2. Breaking into a house with the intent to commit theft

3. Shoplifting

4. Embezzling funds from an employer

The correct answer is: Breaking into a house with the intent to commit theft

Burglary is defined as the unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime inside, typically theft. The key element that categorizes an act as burglary is the intention to commit a crime at the time of the unlawful entry. In this case, breaking into a house with the intent to commit theft clearly meets this definition. The act demonstrates not only the unauthorized entry but also the intent to commit an additional crime, which is essential for the classification of burglary. Other options do not fit the definition of burglary. For example, stealing personal items from a car is typically classified as theft or larceny and usually occurs without the context of unlawful entry into a building. Shoplifting involves taking items from a retail establishment without paying, which doesn’t involve unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit another crime. Embezzling funds involves the misappropriation of funds by a person in a position of trust and does not entail any physical breaking and entering. Therefore, only the situation involving breaking into a house embodies the essence of burglary.