For an act to be classified as unlawfully driving away an automobile, what condition must hold true?

For an act to be classified as unlawfully driving away an automobile, it is crucial that the vehicle in question belongs to someone other than the individual operating it. This condition ensures that the action is framed as an unlawful act—taking or using a vehicle without the owner's consent is a fundamental element of the offense.

When a person drives a vehicle that does not belong to them, with the intent to deprive the owner of their property, it constitutes a recognized crime under theft or larceny statutes. This legal framework aims to protect property rights and discourage individuals from misusing or stealing vehicles that are not theirs.

In contrast, if the vehicle were abandoned, belonged to the driver, or the driver had the owner's permission, these scenarios would not satisfy the legal criteria for unlawfully driving away an automobile. Abandonment implies that there is no longer a rightful owner asserting property rights, ownership by the driver indicates consent, and permission from the owner clearly removes the unlawful element from the act. Hence, the critical condition for classifying the act as unlawful is that the vehicle must belong to someone else.