To learn the differences between these crimes, we must first start with a definition of each. Burglary and robbery, for instance, can carry significant jail time, while theft or larceny tend to be relatively minor crimes, as long as the value of the property taken remains below the local threshold for grand theft or grand larceny. The Difference Between Theft, Larceny, Burglary & RobberyĪlthough the terms theft, larceny, burglary, and robbery are often used interchangeably by the public, each has a distinct meaning that describes how the crime was committed, the type of crime, and the legal consequences.