Final answer:
Burglary and robbery both involve theft but differ in execution; burglary involves illegal entry with intent to commit theft, while robbery involves force or threat of force. Robbery is a violent crime; evidence and witness descriptions are crucial for proving it. Comparatively, using a tool to steal without confrontation, like in a car break-in, is a nonviolent property crime.
Step-by-step explanation:
Burglary and robbery are both crimes that involve theft, which is their primary commonality. The distinction between them lies in the manner in which the theft is executed. Burglary involves unlawfully entering a structure, such as a home or business, with the intent to commit a crime inside, typically theft, but not necessarily. On the other hand, robbery is taking property directly from a person through force or threat of force, making it a violent crime.
For example, when police apprehend individuals suspected of an armed robbery, they are dealing with a situation where suspects allegedly used force or intimidation during the theft. Evidence such as unlawful weapons is often part of the investigation into a robbery. Detectives may rely on witness descriptions, even if they are vague, to identify suspects, such as describing their height as 'medium' or within a specific range. Nevertheless, proving robbery requires direct evidence, such as video surveillance or credible eyewitness testimony linking the suspects to the act.
When we look at scenarios like a bank heist, the suspect may be sought for committing robbery because the act involved a direct confrontation with victims. In contrast, if a suspect uses a tool like a crowbar to quietly break into a car and steal items without confrontation, that's typically a nonviolent property crime.