

Sunday, August 31, 2008

What is the difference between a ``robber" and a ``thief"? "robbery" and "burglary"?


A thief is someone who takes things from you without your being aware of it.A pickpocket, for example, is a thief. He comes up behind you and takes away your wallet without your knowledge. A thief doesn't threaten you with a gun or a knife. In fact, in most cases, you are hardly aware of his presence.
In the case of a robber, on the other hand, you are aware of his presence. You usually come face to face with him. A robber takes things from you by threatening you; he may have a gun or a knife. In the case of a robbery, you are aware of the fact that things are being taken from you. People who force you to part with your belongings are robbers; those who take it away from you without your knowledge are thieves. (31:07:2001)

WHAT IS the difference between "robbery" and "burglary"?

When you are being robbed, you are usually aware of it. The person who is robbing you is there standing in front of you and demanding that you hand over the money, jewellery, etc. In the case of a robbery, there is always a threat of violence. You could end up getting hurt or even killed! Here are a few examples.
*When Chaitra walked into the bank there was a robbery in progress.
*All the robberies took place around 3:00 in the afternoon.
*The robbery was meticulously planned.

In the case of a burglary, on the other hand, there is no threat of violence. A burglar is like a thief. What does a thief do? He merely takes away something that belongs to you without your being aware of it. You become aware of the fact that you have lost something much later. A burglar enters your house illegally and takes away things that he is interested in. He plans meticulously and takes care not to be seen by you. When he strikes, you may be fast asleep, or you may not be at home.
*When the Jains were away for the weekend their house was burgled.
*There was a burglary in our neighbourhood yesterday.
*The burglary didn't go off as planned.

(The Hindu,Tuesday,
Nov 26,2002)



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