What defines burglary?

Burglary is specifically defined as the unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a crime inside, typically theft. The key elements of burglary include not just the act of entering the property without permission but also the intention behind that entry. This is why the act of forced entry with intention to steal accurately captures the essence of burglary—it combines the unauthorized entry with the specific intent to commit a crime once inside.

It is essential to distinguish between simply entering without permission and the additional requirement of intent to commit theft or another crime. Options that mention removal of property or stealing from an open garage do not fully encompass the legal definition of burglary, which hinges significantly on the intention to commit a crime upon entry. Therefore, the precise wording of the definition is critical to understanding what legally constitutes burglary.