Larceny, a common law crime, is the wrongful or fraudulent taking of another's property without his permission and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner thereof. 26 Va. App. Here, Taylor admitted to Loftis and Detective Richardson that he took the Sudhaus dies from Long's premises. Thus, we must determine whether the evidence supports the trial court's finding that Taylor wrongfully took the dies with the necessary criminal intent. There can be no larceny if the accused, in good faith, believes that the property taken belongs to him, since the essential element of criminal intent is lacking in that circumstance.
Intent is the purpose formed in a person's mind at the time an act is committed.
Intent may, and often must, be inferred from the facts and circumstances of the case, including the actions and statements of the accused. We hold that there was sufficient evidence to support the trial court's conclusion that Taylor wrongfully removed the Sudhaus dies from Long's premises with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. When Loftis asked Taylor to explain his actions, he did not say that he took the Sudhaus dies by mistake. Instead, he flatly stated that he took the dies and twice asked Loftis about his items that he alleged were missing. Taylor told Detective Richardson that he found the Sudhaus dies in the same building as his other purchases, which contradicted Loftis' testimony that none of Taylor's items were located in the shipping and receiving building where the Sudhaus dies were stored.