A woman knew that her boss owned several expensive coins and kept them at his home. While he was away on business, she decided to go to his apartment to steal his coin collection. She entered the apartment with the key he kept in his desk at the office. She went to the drawer where the coins were stored; however, they weren't there. She quickly left the apartment. What crime, if any, did the woman commit?

• A. Burglary (felony)
• B. Larceny
• C. Robbery
• D. Trespass

Answer: (A)

Burglary is charged when a person unlawfully enters a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime inside. In this scenario, she used the boss’s desk key to enter his apartment without permission and went to the coins’ storage with the plan to steal them. Even though the coins weren’t there, the entry with the intent to commit theft satisfies burglary—the crime can be complete based on the entry and the criminal intent, not on whether the target was ultimately obtained. Larceny requires actually taking property, which didn’t happen here. Robbery involves taking from a person by force or intimidation, which isn’t present. Trespass covers unauthorized entry, but burglary includes the additional element of intent to commit a crime inside a dwelling, making it the best fit.