Burglary is deemed a property crime and robbery is a violent crime that is committed against a person. According to the FBI, burglary is an unlawful, forcible entry or attempted entry in a structure with an intention of committing a theft or a felony. In other words, if someone enters a building without your permission and with an intention to commit a crime, then this is referred to as burglary.
According to the FBI, robbery is attempting to taking anything valuable and/or by subjecting the victim to fear. In other words, if a person takes or is attempting to take something from someone else and has acted violently towards the victim, in order to scare them, this is referred to as a robbery.
What does burglary entail?
- Unlawful entry occurs
If someone enters a private building without permission, then this is referred to as burglary.
- Forcible entry occurs
Any kind of action taken to enter a private building except walking in via an open door, or climbing in via an open window is deemed a forcible entry.
- People or property could be inside the structure
This doesn’t necessarily have to be a house or any other type of house. It can be any kind of structure that shelters people or property.
What does robbery entail?
- Taking or attempting to take property
No matter if the robber fails or succeeds in attempting the theft, it will still be deemed as robbery.
- Taking anything of value (including non-monetary value as well)
Monetary value helps in determining the nature of the offence. But the stolen items don’t necessarily have to worth money.
- Property is taken from its owner or another’s care
The property doesn’t have to necessarily be owned by the victim. For instance, when a robber breaks into a deposit box, it is deemed robbery. The contents in the box belong to the owner but it is in the bank’s custody that holds the box. Likewise, a victim doesn’t have to own the item.
- Property must be taken from a person
A robbery is not committed unless and until the object is taken from someone. If the robber breaks into a home and commits a theft, but there is nobody home, it is not a robbery, but a burglary.
These types of theft can be avoided by taking proper security measures. Installing home security cameras are really helpful in that case.
