What characterizes armed robbery?

Armed robbery is characterized specifically by the use or implied use of a weapon during the commission of the crime. This definition highlights the element of intimidation and threat that comes with being armed, whether with an actual weapon or an object that appears to be a weapon. The presence of a weapon increases the severity of the crime due to the potential for violence and the fear it instills in the victim.

In contrast, other forms of theft, such as stealth or trickery, do not involve an armed component and thus do not meet the criteria for armed robbery. For example, taking property through stealth refers to theft without the victim's knowledge and does not involve direct confrontation or intimidation. Similarly, trickery would involve deceit rather than force or the threat of force. Lastly, taking property without any use of force indicates a non-violent theft, which falls under a different category of crimes, such as larceny, rather than armed robbery.