Burglary (also called breaking and entering and sometimes housebreaking) is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary. To commit a burglary is to burgle (in English) or burglarize (in American English).

Common law definition

The common law burglary was defined by Sir Matthew Hale as #Breaking can be either actual, such as by forcing open a door, or constructive, such as by fraud or threats. Breaking does not require that anything be "broken" in terms of physical damage occurring. A person who has permission to enter part of a house, but not another part, commits a breaking and entering when they use any means to enter a room where they are not permitted, so long as the room was not open to enter. #Entering can involve either physical entry by a person or the insertion of an instrument with which to remove property. Insertion of a tool to gain entry may not constitute entering by itself. Note that there must be a breaking and an entering for common law burglary. Breaking without entry or entry without breaking is not sufficient for common law burglary. #Although rarely listed as an element, the common law required that entry occur as a consequence of the breaking. For example, if a wrongdoer partially opened a window by using a pry bar and then noticed an open door through which he entered the dwelling, there is no burglary at common law. The use of the pry bar would not constitute an entry even if a portion of the prybar "entered" the residence. Under the instrumentality rule the use of an instrument to effect a breaking would not constitute an entry. However, if any part of the perpetrator's body entered the residence in an attempt to gain entry, the instrumentality rule did not apply. Thus, if the perpetrator uses the prybar to pry open the window and then used his hands to lift the partially opened window, an "entry" would have taken place when he grasped the bottom of the window with his hands. #House includes a temporarily unoccupied dwelling, but not a building used only occasionally as a habitation #Night time is defined as hours between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise #Typically this element is expressed as the intent to commit a felony “therein”. The use of the word “therein” adds nothing and certainly does not limit the scope of burglary to those wrongdoers who break and enter a dwelling intending to commit a felony on the premises. The situs of the felony does not matter, and burglary occurs if the wrongdoer intended to commit a felony at the time he broke and entered.

The common law elements of burglary often vary between jurisdictions. The common law definition has been expanded in most jurisdictions, such that the building need not be a dwelling or even a building in the conventional sense, physical breaking is not necessary, the entry does not need to occur at night, and the intent may be to commit any felony or theft.

The etymology originates from Anglo-Saxon or Old English, one of the Germanic languages. According to one textbook, "The word ''burglar'' comes from the two German words ''berg'', meaning "house," and ''laron'', meaning "thief" (literally "house thief"). Another suggested etymology is from the later Latin word ''burgare'', "to break open" or "to commit burglary", from ''burgus'', meaning "fortress" or "castle", with the word then passing through French and Middle English, with influence from the Latin ''latro'', "thief". The British verb "burgle" is a late back-formation.

United States

Burglary is prosecuted as a felony or misdemeanor and involves trespassing and theft, entering a building or automobile, or remaining unlawfully with intent to commit theft or any crime, not necessarily a theft for example, vandalism. Even if nothing is stolen in a burglary, the act is a statutory offense. Buildings can include sheds, barns, and coops; burglary of boats, aircraft, and railway cars is possible. Burglary may be an element in crimes involving rape, arson, kidnapping, identity theft, or violation of civil rights; indeed the "plumbers" of the Watergate scandal were technically burglars. As with all legal definitions in the U.S., the foregoing description may not be applicable in every jurisdiction, since there are 50 separate state criminal codes, plus Federal and territorial codes in force.

Nighttime burglaries

Technically, a burglary committed during the hours of daylight is not burglary, but housebreaking. In many jurisdictions in the U.S., burglary is punished more severely than housebreaking. In California, for example, burglary was punished as burglary in the first degree, while housebreaking was punished as burglary in the second degree. California now distinguishes between entry into a residence and into a commercial building, with the burglary into a residence with heavier punishment.

In states that continue to punish burglary more severely than housebreaking twilight, night is traditionally defined as hours between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.

Inchoate crime

Some academics consider burglary as an inchoate crime. Others say that because the intrusion itself is harmful, this justifies punishment even when no further crime is committed.

Possession of burglar's tools, in jurisdictions that make this an offense, has also been viewed as an inchoate crime:

Florida

Under Florida State Statutes, "burglary" occurs when a person "enter[s] a dwelling, a structure, or a conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter. Depending on the circumstances of the crime, burglary can be classified as third-, second-, or first-degree felonies, with maximum sentences of five years, fifteen years, and life, respectively.

Georgia

A person commits the offense of burglary when, without authority and with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein, he enters or remains within the dwelling house of another or any building, vehicle, railroad car, watercraft, or other such structure designed for use as the dwelling of another or enters or remains within any other building, railroad car, aircraft, or any room or any part thereof. A person convicted of the offense of burglary, for the first such offense, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than 20 years. For the purposes of this Code section, the term "railroad car" shall also include trailers on flatcars, containers on flatcars, trailers on railroad property, or containers on railroad property. O.C.G.A. § 16-7-1

Kentucky

Burglary and the intended crime, if carried out, are treated as separate offenses. Burglary is a felony, even when the intended crime is a misdemeanor, and the intent to commit the crime can occur when one "enters or remains unlawfully" in the building, expanding the common law definition. It has three degrees. Third-degree burglary is the broadest, and applies to any building or other premises. Second-degree burglary retains the common-law element of a dwelling, and first-degree burglary requires one to be in a dwelling and to be armed with a weapon or to cause injury. A related offense, criminal trespass, covers unlawful entry to buildings or premises without the intent to commit a crime, and is a misdemeanor or, in the third degree, a violation. Possession of burglar's tools, with the intent to use them to commit burglary or theft, is a misdemeanor.

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts uses the term "burglary" to refer to a night-time breaking and entering of a dwelling with the intent to commit a felony. Burglary is a felony punishable by not more than twenty years; should the burglar enter with a dangerous weapon, they may be imprisoned for life. Unlawful entries of a structure other than a dwelling are labeled "breaking and entering" and punishments vary according to structure.

Maryland

In Maryland, under title 6, subtitle 2 of the criminal law code, the crime of burglary is divided into four degrees. The first three degrees are felonies, while fourth-degree burglary is a misdemeanor. Breaking and entering into a dwelling with intent to commit theft or a crime of violence is first-degree burglary. Breaking and entering into a "storehouse" (a structure other than a dwelling, also including watercraft, aircraft, railroad cars, and vessels) with intent to commit theft, arson, or a crime of violence is second-degree burglary. Third-degree burglary is defined as breaking and entering into a dwelling with intent to commit a crime.

Simple breaking and entering into a dwelling or storehouse without specific intent to commit an additional crime is fourth-degree burglary. This degree also includes two other offenses that do not have breaking and entering as an element: Being in or on the yard, garden, or other property of a storehouse or dwelling with the intent to commit theft, or possession of burglar's tools with the intent to use them in a burglary offense.

New Hampshire

In the criminal code of New Hampshire, "A person is guilty of burglary if he enters a building or occupied structure, or separately secured or occupied section thereof, 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."

New York

Under the penal law in New York, burglary is always a felony, even in third degree. It is more serious if the perpetrator uses what appears to be a dangerous weapon, or if he or she enters a dwelling.

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, it is a defense to prosecution if the building or structure in question is rendered abandoned

Virginia

In Virginia, there are degrees of burglary, described as "Common Law Burglary" and "Statutory Burglary."

Common Law Burglary is defined as: if any person breaks and enters the dwelling of another, in the nighttime, with intent to commit a felony or any larceny (Theft < 200$) therein, shall be guilty of burglary, punishable as a class 3 felony; provided, however, that if such person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he shall be guilty of a class 2 felony.

Statutory Burglary is defined as: If any person in the nighttime enters without breaking, or in the daytime breaks and enters or enters and conceals himself in a dwelling house or an adjoining, occupied outhouse, or, in the nighttime enters without breaking or at any time breaks and enters or enters and conceals himself in any office, shop, manufactured home, storehouse, warehouse, banking house, church or other house, or any ship, vessel or river craft, or any railroad car, or any automobile, truck, or trailer, if such automobile, truck or trailer is used as a dwelling or place of human habitation, with intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson in violation of Virginia State code section 18.2-77, 18.2-79, or 18.2-80, shall be deemed guilty of statutory burglary, which offense shall be a class 3 felony. However, if such person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he shall be guilty of a class 2 felony.

Additionally, if any person commits any of the acts mentioned in the VA state code section 18.2-90 with intent to commit larceny, or any felony other than murder, rape, robbery or arson in violation of VA state code section 18.2-77, 18.2-79, or 18.2-80, or if any person commits any acts mentioned in 18.2-89 or 18.2-90 with intent to commit assault and battery, shall be guilty of statutory burglary, punishable by confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than one or more than twenty years, or, in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, be confined in jail for a period not exceeding twelve months or fined not more than $2,500, either or both. However, if the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he shall be guilty of a Class 2 felony.

Finally, if any person break and enter a dwelling house while said dwelling is occupied, either in the day or nighttime, with intent to commit any misdemeanor except assault and battery or trespass (which falls under the previous paragraph), shall be guilty of a class 6 felony. However, if the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he shall be guilty of a class 2 felony.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, burglary is committed by one who enters a building without consent and with intent to steal or to commit another felony. Burglary may also be committed by entry to a locked truck or trailer or a ship. The crime of burglary is treated as being more serious if the burglar is armed with a dangerous weapon when the burglary is committed or arms himself/herself during the commission of the burglary.

United Kingdom

England and Wales

Burglary is defined by section 9 of the Theft Act 1968 which created two variants: # #

Northern Ireland

The offence is defined in similar terms to England and Wales by the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969.

Scotland

Under Scots law, the crime of burglary does not exist. Instead theft by housebreaking covers theft where the security of the building is overcome. It does not include any other aspect of burglary found in England and Wales. It is a crime usually prosecuted under solemn procedure in a superiour court. Another common law crime still used is Hamesukin which covers forced entry into a building where a serious assault on the occupant takes place. Common law crimes in Scotland are gradually being replaced by statutes.

Canada

In Canada, burglary is labelled as "Breaking and Entering" under section 348 of the Criminal Code and is a hybrid offence. Breaking and entering is defined as trespassing with intent to commit an indictable offence. The crime is commonly referred to in Canada as "break and enter" which in turn is often shortened to "B and E".

Nordic countries

Sweden

In Sweden, burglary does not exist as an offence in itself, instead there are two available offences. If a person simply breaks into any premise, he is technically guilty of either unlawful intrusion or breach of domiciliary peace (''olaga intrång'' and ''hemfridsbrott''), depending on the premise in question. Breach of domiciliary peace is only applicable when a person ''"unlawfully intrudes or remains where another has his living quarters"''. The only punishment available for any of these offences is fines, unless the offence is considered gross. In that case, the maximum punishment is two years in prison.

However, if the person who has forced himself into a house, steals anything (literally ''"takes what belongs to another with intent to acquire it"''), he is guilty of (ordinary) theft (''stöld''). However, the section regarding gross theft (Chapter 6, 4s of the Penal Code, ''grov stöld'') states ''"in assessing whether the crime is gross, special consideration shall be given to whether the unlawful appropriation took place after intrusion into a dwelling."'' For theft, the punishment is imprisonment of at most two years, while gross theft carries a punishment of between six months and six years.

Finland

As in Sweden, there is no crime of burglary as such in Finland. In the case of breaking and entering, the Finnish penal code states that

A person who unlawfully (1) enters domestic premises by force, stealth or deception, or hides or stays in such premises [...] shall be sentenced for invasion of domestic premises to a fine or to imprisonment for at most six months.

However, if theft is committed during unlawful entering, then a person is guilty of theft or aggravated theft depending on the circumstances of the felony.

Aggravated theft: (1) If in the theft :(5) the offender breaks into an occupied residence, and the theft is aggravated also when assessed as a whole, the offender shall be sentenced for aggravated theft to imprisonment for at least four months and at most four years.

Notes and references

Allen, Michael. ''Textbook on Criminal Law''. Oxford University Press, Oxford. (2005) ISBN 0-19-927918-7.

Criminal Law Revision Committee. 8th Report. Theft and Related Offences. Cmnd. 2977

Griew, Edward. ''Theft Acts 1968 & 1978'', Sweet & Maxwell. ISBN 0-421-19960-1

Martin, Jacqueline. ''Criminal Law for A2'' Hodder Arnold. (2006) ISBN 978-0-340-91452-6

Ormerod, David. ''Smith and Hogan Criminal Law'', LexisNexis, London. (2005) ISBN 0-406-97730-5

Smith, J. C. ''Law of Theft'', LexisNexis: London. (1997) ISBN 0-406-89545-7

See also

R v Collins

Trespass

Home Invasion

Watergate burglaries

"Cat burglar" at Wiktionary

External links

California Penal Code Section 459 - Burglary

Massachusetts General Laws - Crimes Against Property

The Chula Vista Residential Burglary Reduction Project

Wisconsin Statutes Home Page

Category:Crimes Category:Criminal law Category:Robbery Category:Illegal occupations Category:Inchoate offenses

de:Einbruch fr:Cambriolage he:פריצה li:Inbraak nl:Inbraak no:Innbrudd pl:Kradzież z włamaniem simple:Burglary fi:Murtovarkaus sv:Inbrott

Robert Siciliano (born May 25, 1968) is an American security analyst, author and media personality. He delivers presentations throughout the United States and Canada on identity theft protection and personal security, including self-defense. Siciliano's thoughts and advice on all these matters appear often in both the televised and print news media.

A sampling of his work includes appearances on United States-based television programming such as "The Today Show," CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, "Inside Edition," "Tyra Banks Show," "Sally Jesse Show," "Montel Williams," "Maury Povich Show," "Gayle King Show" and the "Howard Stern Show." In addition, he has been quoted extensively in American news print publications such as ''USA Today'', ''Forbes'', ''Cosmopolitan'', ''Good Housekeeping'', ''New York Times'', ''Los Angeles Times'', ''Washington Times'', ''Chicago Tribune'', ''Boston Globe'', and ''Entrepreneur''. Furthermore, news wire services such as The Associated Press, United Press International, and Reuters frequently turn to him for his views.

Life and career

Robert Siciliano grew up in and around Boston, Massachusetts, learning at an early age that self-defense was key through his experiences of urban crime. He studied several forms of defensive training from different sources, and began his career of helping others improve their personal safety.

Drawing on life experience Siciliano wrote his first book on the fundamentals of self defense in 1996. The release and publication of "The Safety Minute" attracted numerous media inquiries in all its forms. Talk show host Montel Williams was the first to broadcast Siciliano nationally. Show producers worked with Siciliano to develop scenarios where he would socially engineer his way into resident’s homes in Elizabethtown New Jersey posing as a utility worker. The scam worked 100% of the time proving how vulnerable citizens are to someone conning them with a fake ID, uniform and conjured scenario.

By the turn of the century Siciliano had been invited to offer his expertise on many additional talkshows on such subjects as home invasion prevention, spousal abuse, rape prevention, stalking and non-lethal weaponry.

After the September 11 attacks, Siciliano was invited to offer commentary as a breaking news correspondent in regards to many security issues with various networks. With no shortage of violence to feed the news media, Siciliano was commenting on school shootings, terrorist hoaxes, workplace violence, privacy issues, child abductions, and travel security.

In 2002, studies began to appear regarding the rise in identity theft and computer crimes. Siciliano, a personal security adviser with a penchant for technology began to hear from victims of identity theft requesting assistance in responding to compromised identities. A prior victim himself, he began the quest of educating and informing citizens and businesses on the extent of the crime and predicted an onslaught of identity theft and data breaches in the coming years. As the crime soared, media inquiries poured in.

ATM skimming and ATM fraud related crimes became newsworthy events in 2009. In September 2009, Siciliano conducted an experiment that tested the ease of buying and deploying a retail ATM and as a result raised a few eyebrows in the ATM industry. He was able to purchase an ATM for $750.00 US on Craigslist.org, then program and deploy the retail ATM without any red tape or paperwork registration. The ATM also contained over 1000 credit and debit card numbers. Reports of security concerns and Siciliano's access to information retained on the ATM began turning up on the Web, and the ATM industry reportedly braced itself for the backlash.

Work

Identity theft

He is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist under the guidelines of The Institute of Fraud Risk Management. Internet "how to" VideoJug features Siciliano as their resident Identity Theft Expert. Topics include preventing identity theft, protecting credit and debit cards, computer and laptop protection, protecting information on cell phones and PDAs, understanding the differences between financial and criminal identity theft.

Personal security

Siciliano developed risk mitigation strategies for Members of the National Association of Realtors and contributes to the Realtor Safety Initiative Team for Realtor Safety Week. He has been Certified as an Instructor for Real Estate Continuing Education.

Nationwide presentations

Audiences nationwide have attended Siciliano's workshops on identity theft protection and personal security. Among others, these have include the:

United Bankers Bank Massachusetts Association of Realtors Michigan Realtors Industrial Asset Management Council National Association of Credit Managers Louisiana State University The Western States Director Education Foundation Symposium Meetings Professionals International United Bankers Bank

Books authored

Siciliano is the author of two books:

# Siciliano, Robert. The Safety Minute: How To Be Safe In The Streets At Home And Abroad So You Can Save Your Life! 1996. SafetyZone Press. Boston, Ma. ISBN 0-9648126-2-2] # Siciliano, Robert. The Safety Minute: Living On High Alert; How To Take Control Of Your Personal Security And Prevent Fraud. 2003. SafetyZone Press. Boston, Ma. ISBN 0-9648126-7-3

In addition, he has been referenced in three books and cited by an additional eight. He has also contributed to the development of five other books, including ones such as '' Protect your business against threats internally and externally'' and ''Riches In Niches, How to make it big in a small market''.

Media appearances

Siciliano frequently lends his expertise to the news media as they report on issues related to identity theft (e.g., computer security, Social Security numbers, data breaches) and personal security (e.g., school shootings, rape prevention).

References

External links

Home Security Source – Siciliano frequently posts articles and blogs on ADT powered HomeSecuritySource.com with tips on home security.

Appearances in media

Category:People from Boston, Massachusetts Category:American television personalities Category:American actors Category:American writers Category:1968 births Category:Living people

The Staten Island Ninja, also known as the ninja burglar or ninja bandit, is a burglar who broke into homes in the Staten Island borough of New York City and stole from them while dressed as a ninja. He may have hit about nineteen homes since June, 2007. He has been described by investigators as a white male, dressed in black and what appears to be a ski mask. He is reported to be between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall, and weighs roughly 180 pounds. He primarily works at night on Wednesdays, although he has hit during the day and on every other day of the week as well. His target is mainly wealthier homes on Staten Island, particularly in the more affluent neighborhood of Todt Hill.

Notoriety

The Staten Island Ninja had garnered a large response from the general public. While some regard him as a joke, the New York Police Department had found him a serious threat, having dedicated two task forces of 36 officers to his case. There was a $6,000 reward from the city for his capture. The local newspaper, the Staten Island Advance, said the ninja bandit was the number one story of Staten Island for the year 2007.

Case closed

On April 23, 2008 police quietly closed case after authorities started deportation proceedings against at least one Albanian man believed to be connected to the string of break-ins.

The police department dismantled the team in charged of hunting for the burglar after their forensic and investigative leads were exhausted, but "investigators believe that an individual suspected (but with insufficient evidence to make an arrest) of being the burglar is among three Albanian nationals currently facing deportation because of their illegal status in the United States."

Investigators were first clued into a possible Albanian connection when they learned that several men, from the same area of Albania, had formed a loosely knit group to commit burglaries. One member of the group was arrested in the middle of a Grasmere burglary in November 2007, after the home owner caught him in the middle of the burglary and called the police. A second member was arrested in January 2008, in connection with a May 27, 2007 break-in, after he allegedly left his fingerprints on the scene. His case is still pending, and the federal government has started deportation proceedings against him. Two other members of the group were believed responsible for several of the break-ins in the Ninja Burglar case, but were never charged. Instead, police contacted federal immigration officials who started deportation proceedings against those two members of the group.

Police brass have long been loath to acknowledge the serial burglar's "Ninja" nickname, and they refer to the spree - which began last May 30 - simply as "Pattern 16."

Monday, June 16, 2008 marks another reported incident implicating the "Ninja Burglar", this time robbing a Hewlet Harbor home in Long Island.

On August 4, 2009 a robbery on Sabrina Ln. In Staten Island is believed to be the "Return of the Ninja", which leads to speculation whether or not the Ninja was ever caught.

References

External links

A Fox News report on the Staten Island Ninja.

WCBSTV.COM reports a new Ninja Burglar robbery, this time on Long Island.

Category:Albanian criminals Category:Burglars Category:People from Staten Island Category:Living people