Armed Robbery

Armed robbery is a crime that has elements of both violent crime and property crime. Robbery is perhaps one of the most feared of all crimes, whether it occurs on the street—where unsuspecting individuals are “held up” at gunpoint—or in a commercial establishment such as a convenience store or bank. Some criminologists believe that the rate of armed robbery gives the best indicator of the dangerousness of a city. In fact, robbery may be one of the most versatile crimes in American history; it has included the robbery of stagecoaches, trains, armored trucks, vehicles, airplanes, banks, businesses, and residences. The incidence of robbery, like that of many violent crimes, generally decreased in the United States during the last decade of the twentieth century.

Robbery, however, remains a crime that can have devastating affects on its victims, both physically and psychologically. Recent victimization surveys estimate that more than 250,000 individuals are injured during armed robberies in the United States each year. In addition, many victims experience severe psychological reactions, such as shock, guilt, stress, and denial, long after the crime has been committed against them.