Legal Definitions - burgle

To burgle means to commit the crime of burglary. This typically involves unlawfully entering a building or other structure with the intent to commit a crime inside, most commonly theft. The act of burgling does not necessarily require that anything actually be stolen; the crime is often complete once the unlawful entry with criminal intent has occurred.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• Residential Burglary: A person forces open a window of an unoccupied house late at night, intending to steal jewelry and electronics. Even if they are apprehended before taking anything, their act of unlawfully entering the home with the intent to steal constitutes burgling.
• Commercial Burglary: After a retail store closes for the evening, an individual uses a crowbar to pry open the back door. Their goal is to access the cash register and steal money. This act of breaking into the store with the intent to commit theft is an example of burgling.
• Storage Facility Burglary: An individual cuts the padlock off a rented storage unit that belongs to someone else. They enter the unit with the intention of taking valuable antiques stored inside. This unauthorized entry into the storage unit with criminal intent is considered burgling.