h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"Investigators say the suspects are breaking into unlocked cars during the early morning hours."
http://patch.com/massachusetts/dedham/police-seek-suspects-wanted-40-car-breaks-dedham-0?utm_source=newsletter-daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=police%20%26%20fire&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=article-topstories

I always thought a car had to be unlocked in order for someone to break into it?

Sorry, I thought the car had to be *locked* in order for a break-in to occur. The silliness of that many people leaving their cars unlocked overnight is also an issue, but I can't expect anyone to explain why they would be so negligent.

When I lived on Arran my car went a full three years without being locked. Upon travelling to the mainland I discovered the lock had seized through lack of use. Many communities still exist where we trust our neighbours and don't need to nail everything down.

Any unauthorised entry is breaking in, you don't break anything if you open a car with a scanner. The law has to classify things

If you just open a door and go in, I would have thought that was entering, not breaking and entering.

Apparently
. break means ... to break any part, internal or external, or ... to open any thing that is used or intended to be used to close or to cover an internal or external opening."

Bob's exactly right. The act of opening the car door in order to enter it illegally would be breaking and entering. The legal definition of breaking and entering is entering an enclosed residence or other property without prior authorization, even if only by opening a door or window without using force. If the person steals something while they're at it, they've also committed burglary. Otherwise it's usually just criminal trespass.

Well....

Thanks for that.

I have nothing to add to the conversation except...interesting subject line I really thought this was going to be a thread started by 2legs

Deb

{ There we all were, trying not to mention the subject line, and you have to blurt it out like that }

I was going to say I've enjoyed many a rteaio in my car, but tslaking's overrated, in my opinion.

Senior moments: not only were my typos at classic highs, but I didn't notice them .

But I brought amusement to the many who enjoy such gaffes, so my karma has not sunk to ridiculous lows as a result of this.....

I can see clearly now

F S

I wouldn't normally dream of commenting on someone's typos, Paul, but the memory of your comment to 2legs (post 9 here): http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/classic/FP19585?thread=8314211&post=110953716#p110953716 was still fresh in my memory and I'm afraid I just couldn't resist

Deb

Sorry, Deb. I would happily offer to translate my own unintelligible stuff if any one needed me to.