Crimes against property are dealt with in chapter 21 of the Criminal Code. They are understood as socially dangerous acts that violate the owners' rights to property and cause material damage or pose a threat of harm. Due to the fact that they, as a rule, bring property benefits, the number of such crimes is always higher than any other category.
Crimes against property can conditionally be divided into types:
1. Theft of another's property. Crimes related to this group are committed with a mercenary purpose and are legally enshrined in Articles 158-162, 164 of the Criminal Code. The most common thefts are:
- theft - the proportion of crimes with such a composition is the highest. It is understood as a secret theft of property, that is, the seizure of the subject of the crime occurs without the consent and knowledge of the person to whom it belongs. As a rule, it occurs in the absence of the owner or when he is sleeping or is intoxicated. An example would be a theft committed from an apartment, warehouse, office, production room, store, etc. However, theft can also be committed in the presence of a person, for example, from the bag of a person in a crowded public transport. Theft is recognized and the seizure of property from a minor or a person suffering from a mental disorder who does not realize the unlawfulness of actions;
- robbery is another crime against property. It is performed openly. The guilty person completely ignores the opinions of other persons, including the victim, demonstrating his willingness to repulse possible resistance. Robbery is mandatory in the presence of strangers. The presence at the crime scene of accomplices, as well as relatives of the perpetrator, does not form a robbery structure, since he does not expect opposition from them. This crime can be carried out with the use of violence. However, it should not be dangerous to the life of the victim and his health;
- robbery is a more dangerous form of theft in comparison with others. In this case, the encroachment is made not only on the property of the person, but also on his health and life. Most often, crimes are committed openly against a person for whose possession of property they are planned. Such acts are dangerous to life and health. At the same time, crimes against property, such as robbery, can also be carried out secretly, for example, when attacking from behind.
2. Causing damage not related to theft. A similar group is recorded in Articles 163, 165 and 166. These include:
- extortion - expressed in the demand for the transfer of property to a criminal with the threat of violence, damage (destruction) of his property, dissemination of shameful information to the owner or relatives of the person;
- hijacking - unlawful seizure of transport in which the purpose of theft is not pursued. This crime can be committed for various reasons: in order to ride, get to a certain place, etc.
3. Careless (Art. 168), intentional (Art. 167) damage to property. Responsibility for these unlawful acts under Part 1 occurs only in case of significant damage, the concept of which is not disclosed in the law. Both of these crimes are not related to the extraction of material benefits.
Crimes against property most often have a material composition. This means that criminal liability may also arise for an unfinished unlawful act. In this case, qualification is made with reference to Article 14 of the general part of the Criminal Code. However, it should be remembered that responsibility for such stages of the crime as preparation and attempt occurs only for grave and especially grave crimes.