Robbery is a crime that involves the unlawful taking of property, using force or fear. It is considered a more serious crime than other theft crimes such as burglary and shoplifting, and is often punished as a felony in jurisdictions that distinguish it from similar offenses.
When considering the different categories of criminal offenses, it’s important to understand that crimes against a person are generally the most serious. These include violent crimes like assault, domestic violence and homicide which claim the life of another human being. Other crimes in this category are larceny and theft which take the form of defacing or stealing property from another person. While the law considers larceny and theft to be very similar, it views them as slightly different in that larceny only takes physical property, while theft can also involve things like identity fraud or embezzlement.
Theft is generally penalized by the value of the stolen property and the criminal history of the offender, if any. For example, if you steal an iPhone, it’s a felony in the second degree while stealing a $100 bill is a misdemeanor in the first degree. If the robbery involved weapons it will be treated much more severely with penalties ranging from years to decades in prison, depending on the type of weapon used and if you have a violent criminal history.
Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded and populated areas. Be mindful of the effects of drugs and alcohol, fatigue, and distraction (cell phones, earbuds). If you see someone that looks suspicious, trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to call 911. When reporting, give a description of the person(s), their sex, race, clothing, location last seen and direction of travel if known.