According to juvenile offense statistics, what property offense is most commonly committed by juveniles?

Larceny-theft is the most commonly committed property offense by juveniles according to juvenile offense statistics. This offense typically involves the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, and it can manifest in various forms, such as shoplifting or theft of personal items.

The prevalence of larceny-theft among juveniles can be attributed to several factors, including impulsivity, peer influence, and opportunities that arise in environments such as schools or shopping areas. Additionally, it is often a crime of opportunity, making it more accessible compared to other property crimes that require more planning or skill, such as burglary.

While other offenses like burglary, vandalism, and auto theft are also committed by juveniles, they generally occur less frequently than larceny-theft. For example, burglary requires entering a building with the intent to commit a crime, which often demands more planning and may involve greater legal consequences. Vandalism typically focuses on damaging property rather than taking property, and auto theft often requires an understanding of vehicles and is associated with more severe penalties. Thus, larceny-theft stands out as the most common property offense among juveniles due to its relative ease of commission and widespread occurrence.