Police Searching for Armed Robbery Suspects in Norcross

Gwinnett County Courthouse

Norcross, Ga. - Gwinnett County Police are searching for two suspects that have been accused of walking into a convenience store and robbing the clerk on duty at gunpoint.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the surveillance store. The suspects walked to the back of the store. The clerk believed that they were going to the lottery machine. When they made their way back to the front of the store minutes later they both were holding guns. Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.

As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will show the difference between the offenses of robbery and armed robbery in today's post.

The Difference Between Robbery and Armed Robbery

Robbery in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-8-40 as:

A person commits robbery when they take property from another person or the immediate presence of another person with the intent to commit theft.

There are technically three ways that a robbery can be carried out. Through use of force, through intimidation, threat, or placing the other person in fear of immediate serious bodily injury to himself or another, or by sudden snatching.

Robbery is classified as a felony in Georgia. The penalties can include a prison sentence for a period of one to twenty years. However, the consequences for robbing a person aged 65 or older increases the prison term to no less than five years and no more than twenty.

Armed Robbery in Georgia is defined in O.C.G.A. §16-8-41 as:

A person commits the offense of armed robbery when, with intent to commit theft, he or she takes property of another from the person or the immediate presence of another by use of an offensive weapon, or any replica, article, or device have the appearance of such weapon.

Armed robbery is classified as a felony in Georgia. The penalties for an armed robbery conviction are severe. A conviction of Armed Robbery carries a potential sentence of ten to twenty years in prison with the very minimum being ten years in prison with no early release. Prison terms for life are another common penalty for Armed Robbery. The most severe penalty in Georgia for Armed Robbery is the death penalty.

Practice Note

The difference between robbery and armed robbery is small but crucial. If you have been arrested in Georgia, call our offices now.