The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony is which crime?

• A. Robbery
• B. Arson
• C. Larceny
• D. Burglary

Answer: (D)

Unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime inside is burglary. The crucial idea here is that burglary isn’t just about stealing something; it’s about entering a building or other structure without permission and doing so with the purpose of committing a crime once inside. The crime hinges on both elements: the unlawful entry and the intent to commit a felony (or other crime) inside.

That combination is what sets burglary apart from the others. Robbery focuses on taking property from a person through force or fear, not on entering a building to commit a crime. Arson is about setting something on fire. Larceny is the act of taking someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them, and it does not require entering a structure. So only burglary captures the idea of entering a structure with the intent to commit a crime inside.