petty theft

American  

[pet-ee theft] / ˈpɛt i ˈθɛft /

noun

plural

petty thefts

1. theft involving a small amount of money or items of little value.

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Other Word Forms

• petty thief
  noun

Example Sentences

The sheriff’s office did not name the newspaper theft suspect in its statement, but The Plaindealer said the office had cited Paul Choate, 41, on suspicion of petty theft.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2024

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office announced Wednesday that Adrian Muñoz, 34, has been charged with one felony count of grand theft and one misdemeanor count of petty theft.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 8, 2023

The suspect, a 34-year-old man, faces one felony count of grand theft and one misdemeanor count of petty theft, the district attorney’s office said in a statement.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2023

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said Christopher Radz was charged with petty theft for stealing items from a Walmart in The Villages, according to an affidavit acquired Tuesday by Orlando Fox affiliate WOFL.

From Washington Times • Oct. 11, 2023

So, you see, even these minor distinctions felt like petty theft.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez