A thief uses force to take a car from the owner who is present.

A thief uses force to take a car from the owner who is present.

• A. Theft
• B. Simple Arson
• C. Aggravated Burglary
• D. Carjacking

Answer: (D)

Carjacking covers taking a motor vehicle from the owner or person in control by force or intimidation. The key is the motor vehicle and the use of force against the owner who’s present or in immediate control of the car. That combination makes this act a carjacking, a motor-vehicle–specific form of robbery, and it’s more serious than simple theft. The other options don’t fit: theft would involve taking property without force, simple arson concerns setting property on fire, and aggravated burglary involves unlawful entry into a structure to commit a crime, not simply seizing a car from the owner.

Carjacking covers taking a motor vehicle from the owner or person in control by force or intimidation. The key is the motor vehicle and the use of force against the owner who’s present or in immediate control of the car. That combination makes this act a carjacking, a motor-vehicle–specific form of robbery, and it’s more serious than simple theft. The other options don’t fit: theft would involve taking property without force, simple arson concerns setting property on fire, and aggravated burglary involves unlawful entry into a structure to commit a crime, not simply seizing a car from the owner.