What distinguishes robbery from larceny?

Robbery is characterized by the use of force or the threat of force during the commission of a theft, making it distinctly more serious than larceny. While larceny involves taking someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, it does not require that any force or intimidation be involved. In contrast, robbery necessitates that the perpetrator uses or threatens physical force, which elevates the crime due to the potential for harm to the victim. This element of direct confrontation and potential violence is what differentiates robbery from larceny.

The other options do not accurately capture the essential difference. Deceit is more relevant to a different crime such as fraud rather than robbery. Robbery can occur in various settings, not limited to public spaces. Additionally, robbery encompasses all completed acts of theft and does not exclude attempted theft, as the core element remains the application of force or intimidation. The presence of force or threat, therefore, is fundamental to understanding why robbery is categorized separately from larceny.