Replying to looting vs stealing

i'm just wondering - what's the legal difference between looting and stealing. like, if you get arrested 'looting' will you get off a little easier than if you are arrested for 'stealing'.

just wondering is all.

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.