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Robbery combines an offence against property with coercion against a person. Unlike theft, the taking of movable property is connected with the use of force or threats.<\/p>\n
Under Article 198 of the Bulgarian Criminal Code, robbery is the taking of another person’s movable property from their possession, with intent to appropriate it unlawfully, by using force or threats. The coercion must be functionally connected with the taking.<\/p>\n
Force may be physical conduct that overcomes or prevents resistance. A threat must be capable of causing justified fear and facilitating the taking. The words, acts, circumstances, victim’s perception and perpetrator’s conduct are assessed.<\/p>\n
If a person is caught committing theft and uses force or threats to retain possession of the property, the law also treats the offence as robbery. The timing, purpose of the violence and its connection with the property are decisive.<\/p>\n
Heavier liability may arise in cases of dangerous recidivism, bodily injury, participation by several persons, use of a weapon or other circumstances specified by law. The exact classification must follow the proven facts.<\/p>\n
It must be examined whether the taking, ownership, intent, specific force or threat and identity of the perpetrator are proved reliably. Procedural violations in identification, searches, seizures and interviews may also be important.<\/p>\n
See Theft, robbery and misappropriation \u2013 key differences<\/a>.<\/p>\n