Robbery is when force, violence or the threat of force are used to steal something. All robbery is considered a felony regardless of the value of the stolen property and other factors such as if you were threatened with a weapon, whether there were any injuries or if it is armed robbery can increase the penalties associated with this type of crime.
The most important thing to remember when being robbed is to remain as calm as possible. Keeping your hands in sight is the best way to keep hold of your belongings. If you are carrying a purse, carry it close to your body like a football player carries their purse, rather than placing it across the shoulder or on your back. This will make it harder for a robber to grab your purse.
Always be aware of your surroundings and do not walk alone. Be wary of strangers who show unusually agitated behavior or appear overly confrontational. Avoid suspicious people who are following you or seem to be observing your every move (target glancing). Pay special attention to people who are wearing clothing that seems inappropriate for the weather, and look closely at their facial features, height, weight, speech, odor, and other distinctive characteristics.
If you get caught up in a robbery it is very important to stay calm, listen to your moral compass and know that it’s not your fault. Especially when it comes to being an accessory, it’s vitally important to think about what you would do before making a decision on how you can help. For example, let’s say you meet with someone to buy an iPhone in a parking lot and the person you are meeting with starts using force or fear to take your phone, but then they jump in your car and drive away. This is still a robbery because they weren’t finished taking your iPhone until they were to their temporary place of safety.