Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Practice Exam 2026 - Free TCOLE Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct response to the scenario revolves around theft of property due to the act of illegally taking the lawn mower from the storage shed. In this case, theft occurs when someone unlawfully appropriates property with the intent to deprive the owner of that property. This aligns with the definition of theft found in Texas law, where the value of the item—despite being low—still qualifies as property that can be stolen.

Burglary of a building, on the other hand, is specifically related to entering a structure without consent with the intent to commit a crime once inside. In this scenario, unless the person entered the storage shed with that intent and without permission, it does not meet the criteria for burglary. Since the main criminal action here is theft, referring to the situation as burglary does not fit the legal definition accurately.

The other options, such as criminal mischief and robbery, are also not applicable. Criminal mischief involves intentional or knowing damage to property, and robbery requires taking property from a person through force or threat. Since none of those elements are present in this scenario, the emphasis remains on the theft of property.