Larceny is the unlawful taking, carrying, leading or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.

The major difference between a larceny and a burglary is that the perpetrator did not gain illegal entry into the structure through the use of forcible, non-forcible or attempted forcible entry with the exception of a motor vehicle. All thefts from motor vehicles or thefts of motor vehicle parts and accessories are considered larcenies whether the vehicle was locked or unlocked.

The following acts constitute a larceny:

• Purse-snatching - defined as the grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the custody of an individual. If more force is used than is actually necessary to snatch the purse from the grasp of the person, then a robbery has occurred.
• Shoplifting - defined as the theft by a person other than an employee) of good or merchandise exposed for sale. This violation assumes that the offender had legal access to the premises and thus no trespass or unlawful entry was involved.
• Thefts from motor vehicles - defined as the theft of articles from a motor vehicle, whether locked or unlocked.
• Theft of motor vehicle parts and accessories - defined as the theft of any part or accessory attached to the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle in a manner which would make the part an attachment to the vehicle or necessary for the operation of the vehicle.
• Theft of Bicycles - defined as the unlawful taking of any bicycle, tandem bicycle, unicycle, etc.
• Theft from buildings - defined as a theft from within a building which is open to the general public and where the offender has legal access.
• Theft from coin-operated device or machine - defined as a theft from a device or machine which is operated or activated by the use of a coin.