Theft is rarely malicious. It's usually about gaining something and the thief probably wouldn't mind if the other party was fully remedied by a third party like

Theft is rarely malicious. It's usually about gaining something and the thief probably wouldn't mind if the other party was fully remedied by a third party like an insurance company. Assault is malicious where the intent is to damage the other person with little to no benefit for the one doing to the damage. Neither is right or acceptable, but there is a significant moral difference.