Robbery

Robbery charges are filed by the Polk County Attorney’s Office when someone assaults another person while having the intent to commit a theft or while trying to escape from the scene of a theft. A person does not have to be successful in completing the theft in order to be guilty of robbery.

The most common form of robbery is a strong arm robbery wherein the defendant would use threats of assault or actually physically assaulting someone to take their money. Many robberies in convenience stores are this type of robbery.

A “shoplifting robbery” occurs when an individual tries to steal something from a store or other business and is confronted by employees of the store when they try to get away. If they assault someone in the process of trying to get away, such as by pushing them out of the way, the theft becomes a robbery.

Robbery in the First Degree is a robbery that includes use of a dangerous weapon such as a knife or gun. Robbery in the First Degree is a 25 year felony. Robberies in the Second Degree are all other robberies. Robbery in the Second Degree is ten year felony.

A person convicted of robbery is not eligible for parole and will have to serve 70% of his sentence before being released.