What is the difference between burglary and theft?

Answer by  WBD (45)

With a burglary it consist of breaking and entering onto private property. Such as breaking into a home to take electronics. However, a theft is when something is stolen without forced entry. A prime example is shoplifting. One takes something that doesn't belong to him or her, but without intruding unlawfully.

Answer by  Stan567 (417)

It depends on the state, but at common law "burglary" was entering a residence at night to commit a crime. Theft is the act of taking something without permission or by deception or coercion. In the modern world, burglary is usually entering a building a residence to commit a crime (usually theft), while theft is the actually stealing inside.

Answer by  keiki (1376)

Burglary is breaking into a building without consent with the intention of committing a crime. Theft is taking an item from someone with the intent for them not to have it again.

Answer by  tbird (732)

Theft is taking someone else's possesion(s) without the intent of ever returning it. Burglary is the same thing, but violence or force is used while doing so.