Which of the following offenses does not fall under vandalism?

The reasoning for identifying P.C. § 496 as not falling under vandalism relates to the specific nature of the offense defined within that code section. P.C. § 496 pertains to the crime of receiving stolen property, which involves knowingly purchasing or possessing items that have been stolen or obtained through theft. This offense is focused on the illegal possession or trafficking of stolen goods and does not involve the intentional destruction, defacement, or damage to physical property, which is the defining characteristic of vandalism.

In contrast, P.C. § 594 is expressly related to vandalism, involving the willful destruction or damage of another person's property. P.C. § 240 deals with assault, which, although it involves harm, does not pertain to property damage. P.C. § 242 defines battery, focusing on physical injury to a person rather than property. Therefore, P.C. § 496 stands apart because it addresses a different aspect of criminal behavior that does not involve vandalism.