What is the difference between thieves and robbers

However, while theft and robbery share some characteristics, the offenses are quite different. Robbery differs from theft primarily in that it involves force or intimidation to take property from another person. It is the use of force that makes robbery, in most cases, the more serious crime. For example, shoplifting and stealing a motorcycle are both forms of theft. The typical elements of theft are a person:. Victim need not be present. Someone can commit theft even by taking unattended property.

A couple examples are taking cash left on a restaurant table and stealing a parked car. Other forms of theft. While most people associate theft with taking property, the crime can also involve the stealing of services.

For instance, depending on the relevant law, theft can occur where someone doesn't pay for but uses:. Importantly, many states—as well as the federal government—have passed laws specifically criminalizing identity theft. Other common types of theft include fraud and embezzlement. Like theft, robbery involves taking money or property without permission. However, the crime of robbery also involves force or the threat of force.

The typical elements of robbery are someone taking money or property:. Victim must be present. Robbery, unlike theft, entails taking property directly from a person. For instance, suppose two men armed with guns enter a bank, demand money from a teller, and flee with the cash. Because they had intent to steal, used the threat of force, and took money directly from a person, the two men have committed robbery. In many states theft or larceny can be either a felony or a misdemeanor , depending on the value of the stolen property.

Theft convictions carry a range of potential punishments, and the range varies depending on the state. Because robbery involves force, it is often considered a more serious crime than theft. Do not retain this copy. Only the online version of a guideline is guaranteed to be up to date. There are, however, very clear differences between these offences. Put very simply, someone is guilty of robbery if he steals from a person using force or makes them think force will be used.

Burglary means illegally entering a property in order to steal property from it. Due to the violent nature of robbery, it is treated as being more serious than theft and the maximum sentence is life. This type of burglary occurs when an offender enters, as per the definition above, a building which people live in. This generally refers to houses or flats.

It also includes boats and vehicles in which people live, such as caravans, and can include domestic outhouses or garages if they are linked to a house. This type of burglary relates to buildings which are not lived in, such as shops or offices. The maximum sentence is 10 years. Burglary can be committed when a person is permitted to enter a home or other premises but then goes to a room or area where they are not permitted to be and steals something.

For example, if person steals from items on display in a shop that would be theft, but if they go into a storeroom and steal something, that would be burglary. This offence is committed when, at the time of a burglary, the offender has with him any firearm or imitation firearm, any weapon of offence or any explosive.

Where a weapon is used to attack someone at the property in the course of the burglary the offender would also normally be charged with an assault offence, or alternatively they could be charged with robbery. Skip to content. Magistrates' court menu Home Search offences Explanatory materials Explanatory materials back Aggravating and mitigating factors Ancillary Orders Explanatory materials back 1.

Introduction to ancillary orders 2. Anti-social behaviour orders 3. Binding over orders 4. Confiscation orders 5. Criminal behaviour orders 6. Deprivation of ownership of animal 7. Deprivation orders 8. Destruction orders and contingent destruction orders for dogs 9. Disqualification from driving — general power Disqualification from ownership of animals Disqualification of company directors Drinking banning orders Exclusion orders Football banning orders Forfeiture and destruction of drugs Thief: "a person who steals another person's property, especially by stealth and without using force or violence" Robber is someone who commits robbery.

Robbery is "the action of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force. Burglary: "entry into a building illegally with intent to commit a crime, especially theft.

Same for burglars and bandits. If you leave your wallet on a bench and someone takes it, that person is a thief. If they hit you over the head and take your wallet, that's a robber. If they break into your house, they are a burglar. As EDHitch mentioned, bandit is not a commonly used term today, but if a group of people rob you while in a remote area, they are bandits. Now, not every pays attention to the differences, but the police do.

People in the US will say "I was robbed", even if they were not home at the time. They will not say "I was burgled". If something is taken FROM someone or something you can use rob. A bank is robbed, the bank is not what is taken, the bank is where the money is taken FROM. Watch out for a common mistake: Things taken are not robbed, things taken are stolen.