A man spent the night at a hotel and left without paying because he only had enough money to buy gas to get home. What kind of theft did the man commit?

• A. Defrauding Innkeeper
• B. Larceny
• C. Robbery
• D. Fraudulent receipt of services

Answer: (A)

When someone stays somewhere and leaves without paying, the crime is defrauding the innkeeper. The key idea is obtaining lodging by deception or with the intent not to pay for the service after it’s been provided. Larceny would involve taking someone’s property, which isn’t what happened here since no physical property was stolen. Robbery requires force or threats to take property, which also isn’t present. The term fraudulent receipt of services is close, but the established label for hotel stays obtained without paying is defrauding the innkeeper, making it the most precise fit for this scenario.