Second story work is a term used to describe burglaries or thefts committed on upper levels of buildings. However, there are many synonyms for this term, including "high-jacking," "climbing," "scaling," and "cat-burglary." These synonyms all describe the act of breaking into a building from a higher level, without the use of doors or windows. Other synonyms include "rooftop theft," "elevation breaking and entering," and "skyscraper larceny." The use of different terms can provide a clearer description of the specific type of burglary, and is useful in criminal investigations and police reports. Regardless of the term used, second-story work represents a serious crime and is punishable by law.