Georgia Property & Casualty Practice Exam

What type of act describes the theft of merchandise after a business closes?

1. Robbery

2. Mysterious disappearance

3. Burglary

4. Embezzlement

The correct answer is: Burglary

The act described in the question, theft of merchandise after a business closes, is best categorized as burglary. Burglary involves entering a building or property illegally with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft. In this scenario, since the theft occurs after the business has closed, it indicates that unauthorized entry into the premises took place with the purpose of stealing merchandise. Robbery, in contrast, involves taking property directly from a person or a location through force or intimidation, which does not apply here since the theft occurs after the business is closed and without confrontation. Mysterious disappearance refers to losses that are unexplainable and typically not due to theft or other clear causes, which doesn't fit the scenario. Embezzlement involves the fraudulent taking of personal property entrusted to someone's care, which is also not applicable in this case, as it specifically relates to a theft occurring through authorized access. Therefore, the definition of burglary aligns perfectly with the act of stealing after business hours, as it involves unauthorized entry with the intent to commit theft.