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Federal Bureau of Investigation Federal Bureau of Investigation

Larceny-theft

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The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program defines larceny-theft as the
unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or
constructive possession of another. Examples are thefts of bicycles, motor vehicle parts
and accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, or the stealing of any property or article that
is not taken by force and violence or by fraud. Attempted larcenies are included.
Embezzlement, confidence games, forgery, check fraud, etc., are excluded.

Overview

  • In 2014, there were an estimated 5,858,496 larceny-thefts nationwide. The number of larceny-thefts declined 2.7 percent when compared with the 2013 estimate. The number decreased 5.6 percent when compared with the 2010 estimate and declined 13.6 percent when compared with the 2005 estimate.
  • The rate of estimated larceny-thefts in 2014 was 1,837.3 per 100,000 inhabitants. From 2013 to 2014, the rate of estimated larceny-thefts declined 3.4 percent, and from 2005 to 2014, the rate decreased 19.7 percent. (See Table 1/1A)
  • Larceny-thefts accounted for an estimated 70.8 percent of property crimes in 2014. (Based on Table 1/1A)
  • The average value of property taken during larceny-thefts was $941 per offense. When the average value is applied to the estimated number of larceny-thefts, the loss to victims nationally was an estimated $5.5 billion.(Based on Tables 1 and 23)
  • Nearly 23 percent (22.9) of larceny-thefts were thefts from motor vehicles. (See Table 23)

Expanded data

Expanded offense data are the details of the various offenses that the UCR Program collects beyond the count of how many crimes law enforcement agencies report. These details may include the type of weapon used in a crime, type or value of items stolen, and so forth. In addition, expanded data include trends (for example, 2-year comparisons) and rates per 100,000 inhabitants.

Expanded information regarding larceny-theft is available in the following tables:

  • Trends (2-year): Tables 12, 13, and 14
  • Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants): Tables 16, 17, and 18

Larceny-Theft

What you won't find on this page

  • Statistics about embezzlement, confidence games, forgery, check fraud, etc.
  • Clearance and arrest data for larceny-theft.