The second order of precedence in crimes against persons is that of crimes against property. For example, theft is classified as a crime against a person. Burglary, meanwhile, is typified as a crime against property.
In this article, I will describe the three most common property crimes:
- Stole
- environmental crime
- Arson
Stole it is a crime that occurs when a person, without permission and with or without force, enters any structure such as a building, house, car, apartment with the intention of stealing.
Places such as parks, historic sites, and recreation areas and natural resources such as minerals, water, and forests contain criminal statutes that relate to environmental crime. Environmental laws vary from state to state and jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, in most states it is a misdemeanor to drive a motor vehicle without a permit on sand dunes or beaches. Likewise, it is a crime to enter a park without following all the rules and regulations related to the use of the park. It is also a violation of the laws that regulate archaeological excavation exploration of a historic site. Indian cemeteries fall into this category.
Arson refers to the intentional and malicious burning of property. This crime can be quite complicated because there are many motives for committing this crime.
Excitement is what motivates some arsonists. They do it for the thrill or attention. They are sometimes motivated to set fires for their own sexual gratification. Revenge is another motive for committing arson. Perhaps the offender felt that his employer, a corporation, or the society itself had wronged him. Sometimes arson is committed to hide another crime, such as embezzlement, fraud, murder, or robbery. Some arsonists intentionally set their own property on fire to file a fraudulent insurance claim, thereby committing insurance fraud.
At a crime scene, an accelerant such as gasoline or an explosive device will often be apparent. Many times it is difficult to link the crime to a particular offender because so much of the physical evidence is destroyed.
Theft, environmental crimes, and arson are the three most common property crimes. Whenever you call 911 to report a motor vehicle theft, and it takes three hours for the police to get to the scene, you know they were probably busy with other crime calls against people that take precedence over a robbery.