What crime typically involves a forced entry to steal property?

Burglary is characterized by the unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime, most commonly theft. The defining feature of burglary is the forced entry, which signifies the criminal's intent to illegally access someone else's property. This can involve breaking and entering, or even remaining in a building after permission has been revoked, with the ulterior motive of committing a crime like theft.

In contrast, robbery involves taking property from a person or their immediate presence through force or intimidation, making it different from burglary, which does not necessarily involve direct confrontation with a victim. Larceny refers to the unlawful taking of personal property with the intent to deprive the owner of it, but it doesn’t require forceful entry into a property. Motor vehicle theft relates specifically to the theft of a vehicle and does not encompass other forms of breaking and entering.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why burglary is the correct answer, as the essence of the crime lies in the act of illegally entering a property with the intent to commit theft or another crime.