What distinguishes robbery in the 3rd degree from other types of theft?

Robbery in the third degree is characterized primarily by the use or threat of physical force during the commission of a theft. This means that the individual committing the robbery threatens or uses actual force to take property from another person. The distinguishing factor here is the element of intimidation or coercion to obtain the victim's property, which elevates the crime from simple theft to robbery.

Unlike other forms of theft which may involve taking someone's property without their immediate awareness or without confronting the victim, third-degree robbery directly involves some level of aggression or threat against a person. This is what sets it apart from other types of theft, as the victim is often present and feels threatened during the act of theft.

The other options do not capture the essential nature of third-degree robbery; for instance, the occurrence of the crime does not depend on the time of day, the mere presence of a victim is not sufficient to classify the crime without the element of force or threat, and the use of a weapon is not a requirement for third-degree robbery, as it can occur without one, as long as there is a threat of physical force.