The general term for incidents involving property theft is:

The term "burglary" specifically refers to the act of illegally entering a building with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft. It involves not just the actual theft of property but also the unlawful entry, which is a critical component of this definition. Burglary can happen in various settings, including homes and businesses, and it conveys the seriousness of the crime, as it often involves a violation of personal space.

Other terms, such as fraud, vandalism, and embezzlement, describe different types of criminal behavior that do not focus specifically on the theft of property through unlawful entry. Fraud involves deception for personal gain, vandalism refers to the intentional destruction of property, and embezzlement deals with the misappropriation of funds or property entrusted to someone in a position of responsibility. Each of these crimes has distinct legal definitions and implications, which do not involve the same illegal entry component that characterizes burglary.