Property crime
[1] "Hot products" tend to be items that are concealable, removable, available, valuable, and enjoyable, with an ease of "disposal" being the most important characteristic.
Burglary of residences, retail establishments, and other commercial facilities involves breaking and entering, and stealing property.
Attempted forcible entry into a property is also classified as burglary, in the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) definition.
As of 1999, there were 1.4 million residential burglaries reported in the United States, which was a record low number, not seen since 1966.
[5] The temporal pattern is reversed for non-residential burglaries, which are more likely to occur at night and on weekends when commercial premises are unattended.
[8] Burglary at single-family home construction sites is an increasing problem in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Japan, and elsewhere in the world, with burglary of tools and equipment at residential subdivision construction sites comprising between 5 and 20 percent of building costs.
Some threats may include: future harm, destroying one's property, injuring one's character or reputation, or death.
If a person has a lost item in possession, and a reasonable method exists for finding the owner, they must return it or it would be considered larceny.
Motor vehicle theft is a common form of property crime, often perpetrated by youths for joyriding.
The FBI includes attempted motor vehicle thefts in its Uniform Crime Report (UCR) definition.
About 15-20% of motor vehicle thefts are committed for their auto parts or with an intent of re-selling them on the black market.
Mailbox baseball is depicted in several films and television shows, such as Stand by Me, The Benchwarmers, Dazed and Confused, Freaks and Geeks, 21 Jump Street, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 9, episode 7; "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda"), Ghost Whisperer, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and The X-Files.
In capitalist societies, criminal law is also important in protecting personal property and creating a positive environment for economic activity.
In 1473, Carrier's Case in England set a precedent for criminal law in establishing a right for protecting private property.
The court recognized the importance of protecting property rights, in creating an environment for the English mercantile system to thrive.
In 2004, 12% of households in the United States experienced some type of property crime, with theft being the most common.
According to rational choice theory, criminals weigh costs/risks and benefits in deciding whether or not to take advantage of a crime opportunity.
[28] Property crime control strategies in most English-speaking democracies take a Bentham approach, with focus on punishment and deterrence.
