Robbery vs Burglary
Robbery and burglary are both crimes that can be associated with theft, and one is even considered a felony. However, they are very different from each other. Both robbery and burglary are nouns, with the plural form of robbery being robberies and the plural form of burglary being burglaries. Now, let’s take a look at the difference between robbery and burglary.
What does Robbery mean?
According to the Oxford English dictionary, robbery is defined as “the action of robbing a person or place.” The history of the word robbery can be traced back to Middle English, having been formed from the Anglo-Norman French and Old French word roberie. Robbery is often described as taking someone’s valuables using intimidation or force. This is why terms like highway robbery and armed robbery exist, as robbery typically involves the use of a firearm or other tools of intimidation. There is even a degree in robbery, as some use deadly weapons. For a crime to be considered robbery, the presence of the victim is required. In informal language, robbery is also used to indicate “unashamed swindling or overcharging.” For example, consider the sentence: “Hundred pounds for this cheap dress! Robbery!”
What does Burglary mean?
According to the Oxford English dictionary, burglary is defined as “illegal entry of a building with the intent to commit a crime, especially theft.” The word burglary has its origins in the early 16th century from the legal French term burglarie. Burglary is usually defined as the crime of breaking and entering a property without the owner’s consent to commit any crime. In burglary, taking valuables is not always the goal. The crime committed might be as grave as murder or rape, so theft is not always involved in a burglary.
Key Takeaways
- Robbery always involves theft, while burglary does not.
- Robbery is committed with any form of violence, while burglary does not always need to resort to violence.
- The presence of the victim is required for a crime to be considered robbery, whereas burglary is the illegal entry of a building with the intent to commit a crime.
