Virginia Larceny Definition

The Commonwealth charged Bruhn with grand larceny, which Code 18.2-95(ii) defines as "simple larceny not from the person of another of goods and chattels of the value of $ 200 or more." In Virginia, larceny is defined by its elements at common law as, "the wrongful or fraudulent taking of personal goods of some intrinsic value, belonging to another, without his assent, and with the intention to deprive the owner thereof permanently." Jones v. Commonwealth, 3 Va. App. 295, 300, 349 S.E.2d 414, 417-18 (1986). "'In every larceny there must be an actual taking, or severance of the goods from the possession of the owner.'" Id. at 301, 349 S.E.2d at 418 (citation omitted); See also: Maye v. Commonwealth, 213 Va. 48, 49, 189 S.E.2d 350, 351 (1972) (larceny requires "trespassory" taking); Gwaltney v. Commonwealth, 19 Va. App. 468, 474, 452 S.E.2d 687, 691 (1995) (larceny involves "an unlawful taking by trespass").