In terms of theft offenses, what must a suspect have over the property of another?

The correct answer is that a suspect must have had control over the property of another for it to be classified as a theft offense. Control implies a degree of authority or command over the property that allows the suspect to manipulate, use, or dispose of it as they see fit. This capability is essential in establishing the relationship between the suspect and the property during a theft offense.

Possession, while closely related, does not necessarily indicate that the suspect had control in a legal sense. A person might possess something that they do not have the authority to control or make decisions about, which would not fulfil the criteria for theft. Ownership is definitive and denotes legal rights over the property, which does not apply to suspects committing theft; the suspect is not the owner of the property in question. Access simply refers to the ability to reach or use the property but does not encompass the necessary control required for theft.