What does theft involve?

Theft is fundamentally defined as the unlawful taking of someone else's property without their permission or consent. This definition captures the key elements involved in theft, which include the intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of their property and the action of taking it.

When discussing theft, it is important to emphasize that it does not involve consent from the owner, distinguishing it from other actions that might not constitute theft. For example, taking something with consent would not qualify as theft, as the property owner is willingly allowing the transfer of possession. Similarly, dispossessing someone through deception relates to fraud or swindling, rather than the straightforward act of theft, which is characterized by the lack of consent.

Additionally, while stealing from an unoccupied building may constitute theft, the key aspect of the definition is the lack of consent regardless of the circumstances; thus, it does not encompass the complete legal definition of the crime. Overall, the essence of theft lies in the unauthorized taking of property belonging to another, solidifying option C as the accurate representation of the crime.