Which element is NOT required to prove theft?

To establish the offense of theft, several key elements must be present. One crucial aspect is that the property must belong to someone else, indicating that the accused is taking something that is not theirs. Additionally, there must be an intent to deprive the owner of that property, which underscores the deliberate nature of the act, as theft is not incidental but rather a conscious decision to take someone else's belongings without their consent.

The term "appropriation of property" further signifies that the accused has engaged in an act of taking or assuming control over the property. However, the element of knowledge of the owner is not a legal requirement in proving theft. It is not necessary for the thief to know who the actual owner is; what matters is the act of taking property that belongs to another with the intent to permanently deprive that other party of it. Therefore, the lack of requirement for knowledge of the owner distinguishes this element from the others, making it the correct answer to the question.