Aggravated robbery is a serious criminal offense that involves the act of robbery combined with additional factors that increase the severity of the crime. Specifically, aggravated robbery occurs when a person:
- Takes property from another person by force or threat, and
- Uses or displays a deadly weapon during the robbery, or
- Causes serious bodily injury to another person, or
- Causes bodily injury or threatens injury to a vulnerable person such as someone who is elderly (typically 65 or older) or disabled.
Because of these aggravating factors, aggravated robbery is considered a felony and carries much harsher penalties than simple robbery. Punishments may include lengthy prison sentences, heavy fines, and permanent criminal records. It is treated with great severity by the law to deter the use of violence and weapons in theft crimes and to protect victims. In summary, aggravated robbery is robbery done with a deadly weapon or that causes serious harm or fear of harm to a person, making it a more severe crime than robbery alone. There may be variations in the exact legal definition depending on the jurisdiction, but these core elements are generally consistent.
