What term describes the illegal act of taking property from an occupied structure?

The illegal act of taking property from an occupied structure is best described as robbery. This offense involves both the unlawful taking of someone else's property and the element of using force, intimidation, or fear, especially when the act occurs in the presence of the victim.

In the context of property crimes, the definition of robbery includes the critical factor that it must occur in an occupied space, emphasizing the direct confrontation or potential threat to a person. For instance, if a thief enters a home and confronts the occupants while stealing items, this scenario falls under robbery.

Other related terms, such as burglary, refer to the unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a crime, but this does not necessarily require the presence of occupants, nor does it always involve taking property from them directly. Armed burglary specifies that the crime is conducted with a weapon involved, which often elevates its severity, but it is still specifically tied to the unlawful entry aspect rather than directly addressing the act of taking from an occupied structure. Trespassing simply refers to unlawfully entering onto someone else's property without consent and does not include any intent to commit theft or confront individuals.