Whenever any property is taken, that is theft. Shoplift (taking something from a store without paying for it), auto theft and auto accessory theft (car stereo/CD player) are examples of theft. One form of theft frequently happens when we go shopping and we leave our belongings (purse, backpack, wallet) unattended. While we're busy looking on the bottom shelf for the least expensive oatmeal, someone has taken the purse or backpack, or taken something out of the purse or backpack (wallet, cell phone) without permission, or knowledge, or direct threat or actual use of force. no one implied a threat or used force to take it from you; no one entered your home or place of business to get it; it was there and they took it. That's theft.