Armed Robbery | Crime - Britannica

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External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by William E. Thornton Professor, Loyola University New Orleans. Author of Codependency, Sexuality and Depression and Deliquency and Justice. William E. Thornton Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Top Questions

• What is armed robbery?
• How does armed robbery differ from regular robbery?
• Why is armed robbery considered especially serious?
• What are the legal consequences of committing armed robbery?
• How do police investigate and prevent armed robberies?

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armed robbery, in criminal law, aggravated form of theft that involves the use of a lethal weapon to perpetrate violence or the threat of violence (intimidation) against a victim.

Armed robbery is a serious crime and can permanently traumatize its victims, both physically and psychologically. It tends to receive considerable media attention when it occurs, and it carries longer prison terms than other forms of robbery such as simple robbery (i.e., theft without a dangerous weapon). Armed robbery is typically motivated by the desire to obtain money, which is then often used to purchase drugs; however, some armed robbers engage in the crime with the intention of boosting their status within their peer group. Whatever the motivation, the act is classified as a violent crime, because armed robberies can result in injury and sometimes death to victims.

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Armed robbers are disproportionately young males who are clearly opportunistic in their selection of easy targets. Armed robbery may occur on the street—where unsuspecting individuals are held up at gunpoint—or in a commercial establishment such as a convenience store or a bank. Several studies have determined that armed robbers prefer isolated locations with lone victims and reliable escape routes. As a result, increasing public awareness of the crime and providing businesses with enhanced security and surveillance are thought to reduce the incidence of armed robbery. Law-enforcement authorities can further reduce the chances of armed robbery’s occurring by monitoring places known for high incidences of the crime and engaging in aggressive patrols and intervention to deter potential offenders.

William E. Thornton