Robbery is defined as taking property through what means?

Robbery is defined primarily as the act of taking property from a person or immediate presence through the use of force or the threat of violence. This definition underscores the aggressive and confrontational nature of robbery, distinguishing it from other property crimes like theft, which may be conducted without direct confrontation or coercion.

The defining element of force or threat of violence indicates that the perpetrator must create a feeling of fear or danger in the victim, which is a critical aspect that elevates robbery to a more severe offense than mere theft. The presence of force or the threat thereof serves to not only deprive the victim of their property but also instills a sense of impending physical harm, thereby justifying the harsher penalties associated with robbery.

In contrast, methods such as stealth and cunning may pertain more to theft rather than robbery, as they imply a non-confrontational approach. Similarly, fraud and deception are characteristics of other crimes, like fraud, where the victim is misled into giving up their property voluntarily without any threat or actual force. Coercion without violence could apply in different contexts but does not encapsulate the traditional definition of robbery, which emphasizes the presence of force or the threat of violence as the primary means of taking property.