Robbery

robbery, theft, break-in, burglary, housebreaking,

mugging, pickpocketing, shoplifting

Robbery, of course, takes many forms.

Pickpocketing is taking money from someone’s pocket or bag in a public place without them noticing.

Shoplifting is stealing goods from the shelves of shops.

Mugging is taking someone’s money in the street with threats of violence.

Burglary or housebreaking is breaking in or breaking into houses or other buildings, entering them by force in order to steal things in a break-in. These are all types of robbery or theft, although robbery is usually used to talk about stealing artworks from museums.

Robbery is used in combinations. For example, in armed robbery, victims are threatened with a gun. Bullion robbery is stealing gold bars. Street robbery is another name for mugging. A hold-up is a robbery where a gun or other weapon is used. Robberies like this happen at gunpoint, or at knifepoint.

Words for a spectacular robbery include heist and raid. A smash-and-grab raid involves breaking a shop window or a show case to steal things and running or driving away with them very fast. A ram-raid involves breaking through the front of a building by driving into it with a car, and then stealing things in the building.

5. Complete the story using the correct verbs.

On 1 June 1992 a French burglar (break) ... into a house in Paris. He (go) ... into the living room and (steal) ... two pictures. Then he (go) ... into the kitchen. He (see) ... the fridge and some cheese. He (be) ... hungry, so he (eat) ... all the cheese. Next he (see) ... two bottles of champagne. He (be) ... very thirsty, so he (drink) ... both bottles. Then he (feel) ... sleepy. He (go) ... upstairs for a rest, but he (be) ... tired and he (fall) ... asleep. When he (wake) ... up the next morning, there (be) ... four policemen around his bed.

6. Read the newspaper story. Then read the statements the police took from two suspects, Tony and Rita Buckby. How many differences can you find between Tony’s and Rita’s statements.

Thieves Steal Vanderfill Jewels

A man and a woman entered the home of millionaire Dorothy Vanderfill in New Jersey at 9 p.m. last Saturday and stole a $60, 000 diamond necklace and some jewels.

Tony’s statement. We left our house at 8 p.m. and drove downtown for dinner. We had dinner at Buddy’s Steak House. After dinner, we went for a walk and did some shopping. I bought some magazines, and Rita bought some candy. Then we went for a drive along the lake. We got home at 11 p.m. and went to bed.

Rita’s statement. We left our house at 8 p.m. and drove downtown for dinner. We parked in front of Buddy’s Steak House and had dinner. After dinner, we drove around China town and looked at the shops. We came home at 10:30 p.m. and watched TV until midnight.

THEFT

Theft is often used in combinations such as these:

Petty theft or minor theft, where the things stolen are not very valuable;

Serious theft, where the things stolen are valuable.

Theft is also used in combinations like these to indicate the types of things stolen;

art theft; works of art;

vehicle theft, car theft;

arms theft, where guns are stolen in a robbery, not used in a robbery.

7. Use the words to complete the sentences.