According to the Penal Code, a person commits theft if they unlawfully appropriate property with the intent to do what?

The definition of theft in the Penal Code centers around the concept of unlawfully appropriating someone else's property with the intent to deprive the owner of that property. This aligns with the principle that theft is not just about taking something but specifically involves the intention to permanently or temporarily remove the owner’s possessory interest in their belongings.

Depriving the owner signifies a deliberate act to take away the owner’s control or access to their possession. This intent can manifest in various ways, whether through outright removal, taking possession without the owner's consent, or even using the property in a manner that obstructs the owner’s access or enjoyment of it.

In contrast, the focus of other options, such as deceiving the owner, using the property personally, or reselling the property, does not constitute the core intention of theft as defined in the Penal Code. While these actions may sometimes accompany acts of theft, the foundational aspect hinges on the intention to deprive the rightful owner of their property.