What must be proven for theft to occur legally?

For theft to occur legally, it is essential that the accused must have taken property without the owner's consent. This means that there has to be a clear indication that the individual acted against the will of the rightful owner. Consent is a fundamental factor because, without it, the act of taking the property constitutes a violation of the owner's rights.

The other aspects, such as returning the property or intending long-term use, do not define the act of theft itself. Returning the property does not negate the initial act of theft; it merely might affect the consequences faced by the accused. Intent of long-term use is not a necessary element to establish theft; the critical issue is that the property was taken without permission, regardless of the intent afterward. Additionally, the location of the property being in a public place is not relevant to the definition of theft. What matters is the lack of consent to take the property in the first place.