Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What crime will Xavier face after driving away in a running car that he did not own?

1. Vehicular theft

2. Vehicular hijacking

3. Grand theft auto

4. Criminal mischief

The correct answer is: Vehicular hijacking

Xavier will be charged with vehicular hijacking due to the circumstances surrounding the act of driving away in a running car that he did not own. Vehicular hijacking specifically involves taking a vehicle by force or intimidation, which implies that the vehicle was stolen while still under the direct control of another person. If Xavier drove away in a running vehicle without the owner’s consent and potentially under threatening circumstances, this aligns with the legal definition of vehicular hijacking. While vehicular theft generally involves the unauthorized taking of a vehicle, it typically does not connote the presence of force or immediate confrontation with the vehicle's owner. Grand theft auto refers to the crime of stealing a vehicle but doesn't encapsulate the act of intimidation or force. Criminal mischief, on the other hand, involves the willful destruction or damage to property, which does not pertain to the unauthorized use of a running vehicle in this scenario. Hence, the correct answer reflects the more severe nature of taking a vehicle in a manner that confronts or coerces the owner directly.