Larceny is taking property unlawfully without force — a bicycle taken from a rack. Robbery is taking property from a person by force or the threat of force — the same bicycle taken from someone holding it, under threat. Force, and the presence of a victim, is the whole distinction.
The core difference
Both involve taking property that is not yours. Only robbery involves a confrontation.
- larceny — taking and carrying away property without force or threat.
- robbery — taking property from a person or their immediate presence using force or intimidation.
Why robbery is treated more seriously
Because it is an offence against the person as well as against property. The harm is not only the loss but the threat, which is why robbery carries markedly heavier sentences almost everywhere and is charged separately.
The line in practice
Snatching a bag so suddenly that the owner has no chance to resist is a genuinely contested boundary between the two, and jurisdictions differ on where they place it.
Frequently asked questions
Is pickpocketing robbery?
Normally no. Without force or threat it is larceny or theft. Robbery requires force or intimidation.
Why is robbery punished more heavily?
Because it is an offence against a person as well as against property — the threat or violence is treated as additional harm.
Can robbery happen without a weapon?
Yes. Force or the threat of force is enough; a weapon is an aggravating factor rather than a requirement.