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

What felony is committed when an offender knowingly enters a building with the intent to commit theft?

1. Robbery

2. Burglary

3. Larceny

4. Fraud

The correct answer is: Burglary

Burglary is defined as the unlawful entry into a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft, therein. In this scenario, the key element is the intent of the offender when entering the premises. The offender's knowing entry into the building with the specific intention of committing theft satisfies the legal definition of burglary. Robbery involves taking property from another person through force or intimidation, which distinguishes it from burglary, where no direct confrontation is required. Larceny is the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, but it does not involve entering a building unlawfully. Fraud involves deception to gain something of value, which differs from both burglary and theft in its nature as a crime. Hence, the correct answer aligns with the definition of burglary as it encompasses both the unlawful entry and the intent to commit theft.