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

“I do think we have a mutation of petty theft that we need to look at in a serious and deep way,” said Harris-Dawson, whose district has also seen “stretches” of streets targeted by thieves.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2024

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 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

“This does not include general retail crimes like petty theft, shoplifting or poverty-driven crimes,” the AG’s office said in a news release.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 29, 2022

In the six months of the fair the Columbian Guard made only 2,929 arrests, about sixteen per day, typically for disorderly conduct, petty theft, and pickpocketing, with pickpockets most favoring the fair’s always-crowded aquarium.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson