What distinguishes robbery from burglary?

Robbery is fundamentally defined by the presence of force or intimidation involved in the act of taking property. This means that during a robbery, there is an immediate threat to an individual, which can manifest as physical violence or the threat of violence, and the perpetrator typically must be in the same location as the victim at the time of the crime. This aspect of direct confrontation and the element of fear or coercion is what distinguishes robbery from other property crime offenses.

In contrast, burglary typically involves entering a building or property unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime, usually theft. However, it does not require the presence of the owner or occupant at the time of the entry, nor does it necessitate the use of force or intimidation as seen in robbery. Therefore, while both crimes involve taking property, the critical factor for robbery is the immediate threat to a person, emphasizing the violent nature of the act as opposed to the stealthy nature of burglary.