Robbery is the crime of stealing from someone by using force or threats. Unlike simple theft, where someone might take something without being noticed, robbery involves confronting the victim directly. For example, a bank robber might threaten workers to make them hand over money.

The key element that makes robbery different from other kinds of stealing is the use of force or intimidation. If someone picks your pocket without you noticing, that's theft. But if they demand your wallet while threatening you, that's robbery. The law treats robbery more seriously than other types of stealing because it puts victims in danger.

Throughout history, robbers have ranged from highway bandits who stopped travelers on lonely roads to modern criminals who target stores or banks. When someone robs a place, like a jewelry store, we call that place the target of a robbery. The person committing the crime is a robber.