a smash-and-grab raid (British English) un robo donde se rompe el escaparate o cristal y se coge lo que se puede: A car was used in a smash-and-grab raid on a jeweller’s.
arson incendio provocado: The building was destroyed in an arson attack. ^ A man was arrested for arson.
vandalism vandalismo: There’s been an increase in vandalism over the past year. ^ an act of vandalism
rioting disturbios: Rioting broke out as soon as the decision was announced. ^ anti-government rioting
looting saqueos: There was widespread looting in the city centre.
blackmail (somebody into doing something) chantajear (para que alguien haga algo) blackmail chantaje: His lover tried to blackmail him. ^ They had been blackmailed into silence.
extortion extorsión: He went around the city obtaining money by extortion.
blow a safe abrir una caja fuerte (con explosivos): Breaking into the house won’t be enough without a guy who knows how to blow a safe.
break/crack a safe forzar una caja fuerte: The thieves managed to crack the safe.
break into a house allanar un domicilio break-in allanamiento de morada: My neighbour’s house was broken into last month. ^ Due to recent break-ins, more people are installing a security system in their homes.
bribe sobornar bribery soborno: The man tried to bribe a councillor. ^ He was under investigation on suspicion of bribery to get the contract.
burgle robar en casas o tiendas burglary robo: This is the third house in the neighbourhood that has been burgled. ^ If you go on holiday, take some precautions to prevent being burgled. ^ Burglaries are on the rise in this area.
con (informal) estafar, timar, engañar a alguien [especially to get money]): He conned the woman out of $5,000.
cook the books falsificar la información, amañar las cuentas: Someone had been cooking the books in the company for years.
drug trafficking narcotráfico: the fight against drug trafficking
embezzle desfalcar, malversar fondos embezzlement desfalco, malversación de fondos: He had embezzled large amounts of money. ^ an embezzlement scandal ^ There’ll be an investigation into the embezzlement of public funds.
fiddle (British English, informal) hacer chanchullos, cometer fraude [by giving false information]: fiddle the accounts/the books/the figures/the finances ^ Don’t try to fiddle your taxes.
forge falsificar [a document, painting or paper money] forgery falsificación: a forged passport/signature ^ The painting was a forgery.
fence (informal) traficar con objetos robados: He had been fencing laptops until he was arrested.
hijack secuestrar [a plane, ship or vehicle] hijacking / hijack secuestro: The plane was hijacked by a group of terrorists.
carjack robar un vehículo [using force or threats] carjacking robo de un vehículo: Muggings and carjackings are a serious problem in this area.
hold-up / stick-up (informal): atraco [a person or place, using a weapon]: a bank hold-up ^ Nobody move, this is a stick-up!
kidnap raptar kidnap / kidnapping rapto, secuestro: His wife was kidnapped at gunpoint on her way to work.
racketeering mafia, crimen organizado: He was accused of racketeering.
ram-raid (British English) robar mediante alunizaje ram-raiding / ram-raid alunizaje: They ram-raided a jewellery shop. ^ a ram-raid robbery/attack ^ Ram-raiding had been unheard-of in this town until yesterday. ^ He was caught on camera taking part in a ram-raid.
rape violar rape violación: The predator was given a long sentence for raping five women. ^ He committed the rape shortly after his release from prison.
gang rape violación grupal: Gang rape has been on the increase in the past year.
swindle estafar swindle estafa: The travel agency had swindled its customers out of €40,000. ^ I think we’ve been swindled. ^ The police are investigating an insurance swindle.
smuggle pasar de contrabando [goods, drugs, etc.], introducir de forma ilegal [migrants] smuggling contrabando, tráfico de migrantes: They were caught trying to smuggle weapons out of the country. ^ The immigrants were smuggled into Spain. ^ drug/people/arms smuggling
gun-running contrabando de armas [especially to be used against the government]: a successful gun-running operation
banditry bandolerismo: Banditry was common in these sierras.
terrorism terrorismo: an act of terrorism ^ international/global terrorism ^ We will combat terrorism with all the resources available.
IDIOMS
be on the fiddle (British English, informal) andar con trapicheos/chanchullos: He’s the type of guy who’s probably on the fiddle.
get away with murder (informal) irse de rositas, salirse con la suya: I know he’s just 13, but don’t let him get away with murder.