What defines robbery?

Robbery is defined as the act of taking property from a person through the use of force or threat of harm. This means that for an act to be classified as robbery, it must involve an element of direct confrontation where the victim feels threatened or is physically harmed. This differentiates robbery from other forms of theft, such as burglary or larceny, where force or threats are not utilized.

The correct answer highlights the crucial factor of coercion or intimidation involved in the definition of robbery, making it a violent crime in the eyes of the law. While force can be physical, the mere threat of harm is sufficient to categorize the crime as robbery. This highlights the severity and danger associated with the act, both for the victim and in terms of legal repercussions for the perpetrator.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios that do not meet the legal criteria for robbery. For instance, taking property without using force indicates theft but lacks the coercive element essential for robbery. Similarly, stealing from abandoned locations does not involve a victim and therefore cannot be classified as robbery. Likewise, stealing property without witness presence merely refers to a covert act of theft, again lacking the element of direct confrontation necessary for a robbery classification.