Most robbery cases fall under each State’s unique and specific criminal laws, only if Federal law does not apply to the crime. In fact, the Federal Government sometimes has jurisdiction over robbery cases.

For instance, robberies of specific institutions, such at the post office, fall under Federal jurisdiction. In any criminal case, Federal law supersedes State law. In essence, criminals are subject to any Federal charges before they face State laws.  

The Dunbar Armoredrobbery is said to be the largest cash robbery in the history of the United States. In fact, the robbers made off with over eighteen million dollars. In 1997, both the Dunbar Armored robbery and the Loomis Fargo Bank Robbery took place, making history in the process. In both cases, individuals involved in the robberies were caught and faced serious charges. In the Dunbar Armored robbery, most of the money was recovered during arrests, but almost ten million dollars has never been recovered.

The Dunbar Armored robbery was suspected to be an inside job immediately after the crime was discovered. In fact, the Regional Safety Inspector was the one that came up with the idea of committing the crime. He then recruited other individuals, but only after photographing the armored car depot to aid in the planning of the crime. Those photographs provided the perpetrators with vital facts that were necessary to complete the crime while avoiding arrest. 

After he had acquired all necessary facts, he recruited five trusted friends form his early childhood. He utilized his keys to gain access to the structure, and he and his associates disabled the guards one by one. After ambushing most of the guards, the group moved toward the vault, that they knew to be open on specific evenings. Once at the vault, the perpetrators rushed the guards in and around the vault, disabling all of them. The group was actually able to disable the guards before they could manage to set off any alarms. 

It took less than half an hour for the perpetrators to load the money into a waiting van. Due to the nature of information available to the Regional Safety Inspector, the group knew which bags contained the most money, effectively avoiding bags that contained only small bills. In addition, the group was aware of all security procedures, including the location of guards and security cameras.

Because the perpetrators had helpful information, they were unable to avoid law enforcement during the commission of the crime. However, it was the very nature of their knowledge that eventually gave them away. Immediately, it was suspected that only an insider would have such vast information about security procedures. When one associate gave a stack of bills to an individual, the individual then reported the transaction to the authorities. 

That associate eventually confessed, implicating the others involved. The Dunbar Armored robbery was the largest cash heist in United States history. However, it is believed that everyone involved was caught and faced charges. Yet, inexplicably, some of the money was never recovered. In fact, over half of the money remains unaccounted for.

In both robbery and burglary, criminals often intend to steal property. However, burglary does not always include the added offense of theft. In fact, burglary in an inchoate crime, which is utilized to prepare for a number of additional offenses once the perpetrator has illegally gained access to a structure. Those offense can include crimes against property, or crimes against a person. 

 

 

Whereas, robbery always concludes with the theft of property utilizing the threat or violence or actual violence. In either case, the perpetrator may carry a weapon, which subsequently results in more serious charges. However, burglarsare not likely to reveal their weapon, as they generally do not come into contact with their victims. Robbery always includes some form of contact between the victim and the perpetrator.

 

 

Robbery often incurs more serious charges than burglary. However, the charges and sentence are dependent on several factors, including state and federal law. In addition, burglary, as an inchoate offense, can result in a number of differing proceeding offenses. If the proceeding offense is theft, the burglar is likely to face less serious charges than an individual that takes part in crimes against a person, such as assault. In addition, some crimes against property are more serious than others. 

 

 

For example, a burglar that commits arson, is going to face more serious charges than a burglar that steals property. Most of these distinctions are made by state laws. Yet, in some cases, federal law applies, depending on the nature of the crime. If federal laws apply, those laws supersede state laws and criminals must first answer the federal charges. Federal laws apply for robbery or burglary, in certain circumstances, such as financial institutions or post offices.  Robbery would also incur more serious charges than burglary, due to the more serious nature of the crime.

 

 

The major difference between burglary and robbery, is intent. The robber intents to steal property, utilizing the threat of violence, or actual violence. Whereas, the burglar's intent is not always as clear. Burglars intend to enter a structure, without permission. However, burglars can have varying intents once that portion of the crime has been committed. 

 

 

Statistically, burglars usually intend to steal property and never come into contact with their victim. However, some burglars intend more harm than robbers, as is the case with assault, kidnapping and murder. Both crimes are serious and perpetrators often face harsh prison sentences, especially if they have violated any federal laws.

 

While robbery generally includes certain characteristics, there are different types of robbery cases. In addition, there are differing types of robbery charges, depending on the nature of the crime. In general, robbery includes the theft of property, through the use of violence, or the threat of violence. 

 

 

Individual robbery cases will be assigned certain robbery charges based on the unique factors of the crime. For example, a robbery that results in the death or injury of a victim, is likely to include the most serious robbery charges prescribed by each state's criminal laws. Robbery charges will also be more severe, if the perpetrator brandished a weapon to achieve their desired results, even if the weapon was not actually used. 

 

 

Most robberies involve individuals that are robbed while in a public setting, such as on a street. Generally, robbery cases that involve groups of criminals, take place utilizing the threat of assault, or actual assault in the absence of a weapon. Victims are more likely to face a weapon if the robber is working alone. In fact, the most common weapon used to commit robbery, is a gun. In either case, robbery is a felony and the perpetrators will face serious criminal robbery charges. 

 

 

However, perpetrators that utilize weapons or force, in order to commit robbery, will likely face first degree robbery charges, especially if the victim suffered death or injury. Whereas, the robber that only utilizes the threat of violence, without causing any harm or carrying a weapon, will likely face a less severe prison sentence. 

 

 

Another type of robbery case involves home invasion. Whereas burglars generally try to avoid being confronted by their victims, robbers seek out entry when the victims are present in order to force victims to turn over all of their valuables. 

 

 

A burglar will search through the house, seeking valuables in the absence of advice from victims. Whereas, home invasion robberies involve the threat of violence, or actual violence in order to locate all of the valuables within the home. There are many other types of robbery cases. Often, robbery charges will vary depending on the tactics and intent of the perpetrators.

 

 

When robbers intend harm to their victims, they will face the most serious robbery charges. Robbery cases that include the use of force, or the presence of weapons, offer proof of intent and premeditation. If however, only a threat of violence was utilized to gain compliance by the victim, it would be more difficult to prove that the perpetrator intended harm. 

 

 

In that case, the perpetrator would face less serious robbery charges. In any case, robbery is a felony and the intent of the perpetrator only effects the length or prison sentence in a minuscule way. In fact, most state's criminal laws prescribe a minimum sentence for all robberies.