The taking of property from another person through force, violence, or intimidation while in their presence. It combines theft with assault or the threat of violence, making it more serious than simple theft.
From Old French 'roberie' and Germanic 'raubon' meaning 'to rob.' The legal distinction from theft developed in medieval law to recognize the additional harm and danger created when stealing involves force or threats against the victim.
Robbery is theft plus violence or the threat of it - you can't rob an empty house, only burglarize it! The key legal insight is that the force doesn't have to be much; even snatching a purse can be robbery if the victim tries to hold onto it, because the struggle constitutes force.
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