Robbery is charged in Greeley and Weld County when a person takes something of value from another by use of force, threats or intimidation. Often confused with Burglary, Robbery is only charged when the victim is present during the Theft. Recently, a woman turned herself in to Colorado law enforcement after she attempted to rob a business. According to the report, the woman entered the business with a gun and told the employees to give her money. She, however, left before getting anything. After police were called, they found an air gun that matched the description of the firearm involved in the attempted Robbery in a dumpster near the business. The woman must have gotten word that she was being sought, as she quickly turned herself in.
Weld County Lawyer for Robbery and Aggravated Robbery Charges
The Weld County, Colorado law definition of Robbery – C.R.S. 18-4-301 – is:
If certain aggravating factors are involved, then Aggravated Robbery is charged. The Colorado law definition of Aggravated Robbery – C.R.S. 18-4-302 – is:
(a) He is armed with a deadly weapon with intent, if resisted, to kill, maim, or wound the person robbed or any other person; or
(b) He knowingly wounds or strikes the person robbed or any other person with a deadly weapon or by the use of force, threats, or intimidation with a deadly weapon knowingly puts the person robbed or any other person in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury; or
(c) He has present a confederate, aiding or abetting the perpetration of the robbery, armed with a deadly weapon, with the intent, either on the part of the defendant or confederate, if resistance is offered, to kill, maim, or wound the person robbed or any other person, or by the use of force, threats, or intimidation puts the person robbed or any other person in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury; or
(d) He possesses any article used or fashioned in a manner to lead any person who is present reasonably to believe it to be a deadly weapon or represents verbally or otherwise that he is then and there so armed.
Based on the information provided in the article, the woman would likely be facing the Aggravated Robbery charge. While the weapon turned out to be an air gun, under subsection (d), it only has to resemble a deadly weapon. Even if it’s not actually deadly.
Attorney for Attempted Robbery in Erie, Colorado: But I Didn’t Rob Anyone!
Obviously in the case above, the woman was unsuccessful in the Robbery. She didn’t get any item of value (money) before fleeing. So, she would likely be facing Attempted Aggravated Robbery. Attempt is added to any crime when the person takes a ‘substantial step’ toward committing a crime. Walking into the business, presenting a weapon and demanding money would definitely meet the substantial step requirement.