District of Columbia Burglary by Breaking and Entering refers to the criminal act of unlawfully entering a property with the intention of committing a theft or felony inside. In the District of Columbia, this offense is treated as a serious crime and is punishable under the law. Burglary by breaking and entering involves forcefully accessing a structure, such as a residence, business, or vehicle, by breaking locks, windows, doors, or any other obstacle that restricts entry. This offense is committed with the intent to carry out theft, assault, vandalism, or other felonies inside the premises. The unlawfully gained access differentiates burglary from trespassing, as it involves unauthorized entry into a private property with criminal intent. District of Columbia recognizes multiple types of burglary by breaking and entering, including: 1. Residential Burglary: This occurs when an individual unlawfully enters and remains in a dwelling or inhabited property without the owner's permission, with the intention of committing a crime. 2. Commercial Burglary: It refers to the act of unlawfully entering and remaining in a business establishment or commercial property with the intention of theft or committing a felony. 3. Vehicle Burglary: Also known as "car hopping," vehicle burglary involves unlawfully entering a motor vehicle, including cars, trucks, or motorcycles, to commit theft or other offenses. 4. Daytime and Nighttime Burglaries: Depending on the timing of the offense, burglaries are further classified into daytime and nighttime burglaries. Daytime burglary occurs when the offense takes place between sunrise and sunset, while nighttime burglary occurs during the hours of darkness, from sunset to sunrise. 5. Armed Burglary: This refers to the act of breaking and entering a property while being armed with a weapon, such as a firearm, knife, or any other deadly weapon. Armed burglaries are considered more severe as they pose a greater threat to the occupants of the property. It is important to note that each type of burglary by breaking and entering carries varying degrees of penalties in accordance with District of Columbia's legal system. The severity of punishment depends on factors such as criminal history, the value of stolen property, presence of weapons, and any harm caused to individuals during the commission of the offense. Therefore, it is essential to discourage and report such criminal activities to maintain the safety and security of the community in the District of Columbia.