Burglar / thief

Question

Hi,If someone breaks into a house to try to steal something without using violence, whether or not he succeed, is he a burglar or a thief? If someone breaks into a house or building to try to steal something with violence, whether or not he succeed, is he a burglar or a rubber?Thanks.

Hrsanei · Accepted Answer

Theif is a general term.

Burglar is a theif that breaks into houses secretly.

You can rob somebody by stealing a property of his, but for house burgle is used.

Note, robber is as spelled.

Cheers

Anonymous · Answer

Thank you hrsanei for your answer, but that does not help me a lot.  Could someone else please help me to understand their usages better?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

You need to find out how these terms are defined in the legal system of the country you are considering. The definitions in one country may not be the same as in another.

Here's how I think of them. But remember that I'm not a lawyer.

burglar - one who breaks into an unoccupied home, to steal

Canadian law no longer speaks of burglary. The crime is called breaking and entering.

thief - one who steals

robber - one who steals from people by using violence

If someone breaks into a house to try to steal something without using violence, whether or not he succeed, is he a burglar or a thief? I'd say a burglar. I don't think you can be a thief until you steal something.

If someone breaks into a house or building to try to steal something with violence, whether or not he succeed, is he a burglar or a robber? Maybe both. Ask a lawyer. Robbery sounds more serious.

Clive

Anonymous · Answer

CliveIf someone breaks into a house to try to steal something without using violence, whether or not he succeed, is he a burglar or a thief? I'd say a burglar. I don't think you can be a thief until you steal something.

Hi Clive,

Thank you for your reply.

Do you mean someone who breaks into a house and succeeds in stealing something is both thief and burglar and

someone who breaks into a house and doesn't succeed in stealing something is a burglar, not a thief?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Do you mean someone who breaks into a house and succeeds in stealing something is both thief and burglar

seems reasonable to me

and

someone who breaks into a house and doesn't succeed in stealing something is a burglar, Yes

not a thief? This is an interesting question. What do you think? Do you think a person can be a thief if he does not steal anything?

Burglar / thief

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