Opinion ID: 1527371
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Intent to steal

Text: Appellants also contend that the government failed to prove that they had the requisite intent to steal, as charged in the informations, when they allegedly committed an attempted burglary of the stereo store. Their argument is totally without merit. Specific intent in a burglary or attempted burglary case, unless admitted by the defendant, must usually be proved by circumstantial evidence or by some statement the defendant makes at the time of the offense. See Massey v. United States, 320 A.2d 296, 299 (D.C.1974); United States v. Fox, 140 U.S.App.D.C. 129, 131, 433 F.2d 1235, 1237 (1970); Washington v. United States, 105 U.S.App.D.C. 58, 61, 263 F.2d 742, 745, cert. denied, 359 U.S. 1002, 79 S.Ct. 1142, 3 L.Ed.2d 1032 (1959). In this case, we hold, the circumstantial evidence of intent was strong. The testimony showed that appellants cased a store which carried valuable stereo components. Equipped with assorted tools, they hovered in the vicinity of the store for over an hour, shook the security grate in the front, and finally broke the store window. When the alarm started to ring, they made a swift departure but were caught as they tried to flee. From these facts any reasonable factfinder could readily infer that appellants intended to steal merchandise from the store, and that they were frightened away by the alarm before they had a chance to carry out that intent. We find no error. Affirmed.