noun
burglary of an unoccupied house; vacant-house burglary
Specifically refers to a burglary committed while the residents are temporarily away, exploiting the empty house. Often used in crime reports and neighborhood safety contexts.
近所で空き巣被害が相次いでいる。
There has been a series of vacant-house burglaries in the neighborhood.
長期旅行中に空き巣被害に遭わないように、新聞を止めておいた。
To avoid being burglarized while away on a long trip, I had the newspaper delivery suspended.
Compound of 空き巣 (あきす, 'empty nest', i.e., a temporarily vacant house) and 被害 (ひがい, 'damage, harm'). The term is a modern coinage reflecting a specific type of property crime.