What is an armed robbery?

An armed robbery is characterized by the use of a dangerous weapon or firearm during the commission of the crime. The presence of a weapon elevates the seriousness of the offense, as it poses an immediate threat to the victim's safety and allows the perpetrator to exert intimidation or coercion. This definition aligns with the legal understanding of armed robbery, which emphasizes the combination of theft with the use of a weapon, distinguishing it from other types of robbery that might occur without any weapons involved.

The other answer choices present scenarios that do not fit the legal definition of armed robbery. For example, one option describes robbery conducted without a weapon, which would classify as unarmed robbery rather than armed robbery. Another option limits the crime to occurrences at night, which is irrelevant to the classification of armed robbery, as the time of day has no bearing on whether a weapon is used. Lastly, an option that focuses solely on theft ignores the critical element of intimidation and potential violence introduced by the possession of a weapon. Thus, the correct answer properly integrates the aspect of weapon use, which is essential to defining armed robbery.