Burglar

A burglar is a person who commits burglary, defined as the unlawful entry of a building or conveyance with the intent to commit a crime, most often theft. In common law and many civil jurisdictions, burglary requires unlawful entry or remaining in a structure, intent to commit a crime at the time of entry, and the place being a building or vehicle; the exact elements and terminology vary, with some jurisdictions using the term breaking and entering to describe the act, or separately recognizing home invasion in cases of violent intrusion.

Burglar behavior is tied to opportunities presented by unattended or inadequately secured properties. They may target residences, businesses, or other properties, aiming to minimize risk while maximizing potential gain. Methods and tools vary, but the underlying objective is to obtain property with relatively low risk of confrontation.

Legal consequences for burglary are generally severe and depend on jurisdiction, the value of the property, prior offenses, and whether force or weapons were involved. Penalties can include imprisonment, fines, and restitution. Some systems distinguish between first-time offenses and repeat or aggravated burglary, as well as between dwelling and non-dwelling targets.

Motives commonly include financial gain and the desire to exploit security weaknesses, though some cases involve juveniles, organized crime networks, or opportunistic acts. Prevention and deterrence emphasize a combination of secure design and behavior: robust doors and locks, alarm systems, surveillance, good lighting, and community policing efforts to reduce opportunities for unauthorized entry.

Overall, burglary is treated as a property-crime offense with social and economic impacts on victims and communities, and it is the subject of law enforcement responses, forensic investigation, and crime-prevention strategies.