Burglary vs. Theft — What's the Difference?

Burglary, also called breaking and entering and sometimes housebreaking, is illegally entering a building or other areas to commit a crime. Usually that offence is theft, robbery or murder, but most jurisdictions include others within the ambit of burglary.

Theft is the taking of another person's property or services without that person's permission or consent with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it. The word theft is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting, library theft or fraud.

Illegal entry of a building with intent to commit a crime, especially theft

The action or crime of stealing

The act of entering another's premises without authorization in order to commit a crime, such as theft.

The unlawful taking of the property of another; larceny

An instance of this

An instance of such taking

The crime of unlawfully breaking into a vehicle, house, store, or other enclosure with the intent to steal.

(Obsolete) Something stolen.

(law) Under the common law, breaking and entering of the dwelling of another at night with the intent to commit a felony.

The act of stealing property.

Under the Model Penal Code, entering a building or occupied structure with purpose to commit a crime therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the actor is licensed or privileged to enter. Model Penal Code § 221.1.

The act of stealing; specifically, the felonious taking and removing of personal property, with an intent to deprive the rightful owner of the same; larceny.

Breaking and entering the dwelling house of another, in the nighttime, with intent to commit a felony therein, whether the felonious purpose be accomplished or not.

The thing stolen.

Entering a building unlawfully with intent to commit a felony or to steal valuable property

The act of taking something from someone unlawfully;