Intent is a key aspect in any burglary case. First, the prosecution must establish intent as a basic element of committing a burglary. Burglary oftentimes involves a person entering another’s property or residence and taking something.

What most people don’t realize is that under the burglary statute (720 ILCS 5/19-1), you can be charged with burglary for entering or remaining, without permission, within a building, house-trailer, watercraft, aircraft, motor vehicle, or railroad car with intent to commit therein a felony or theft.