steals

Steal is the act of taking property owned by another without permission, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. The plural form steals refers to multiple such acts. In sports, steals is also a statistic that records successful dispossession or advancement of a base by an opposing player to gain an advantage.

In criminal law, theft requires typically: (1) taking and carrying away property of another; (2) without the owner's consent; and (3) intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. The property may be tangible or, in some jurisdictions, intangible. Specific offenses are distinguished by value thresholds (petty theft and grand theft) or by the manner of taking (shoplifting, embezzlement, fraud). Robbery involves taking through force or fear; burglary involves unlawful entry to commit theft. Penalties vary widely by jurisdiction and by value, and may include fines, restitution, or imprisonment.

Sports usage: In basketball, a steal is credited to a defensive player who legally takes possession of the ball from an opponent, resulting in a change of possession. In baseball, a steal is when a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball, and is credited as a stolen base. The term thus appears both in legal contexts and in various athletic statistics.