What would be the most serious charge against a person who unlawfully takes merchandise from a department store after hiding in an office until closing?

The most serious charge against a person who unlawfully takes merchandise from a department store after hiding in an office until closing would be burglary. This is because burglary typically involves entering a building without permission to commit a crime inside, which aligns with the actions of hiding in the department store’s office and then stealing the merchandise.

Burglary carries significant penalties as it implies both the unlawful entry and the intent to commit a crime - in this case, theft. The act of hiding and waiting until the store closes further emphasizes the premeditated intention to commit the crime, which elevates the seriousness of the charge.

While other potential charges like criminal trespass and shoplifting relate to the unlawful taking of property, they do not fully encompass the nature of the actions taken in this scenario. Shoplifting primarily refers to stealing directly from a retail establishment without entering a restricted area, and criminal trespass typically involves entering or remaining on property without permission but may not necessarily involve theft. Thus, burglary is the charge that best captures the severity and circumstances of the offense described.