Armed robbery is characterized by which of the following?

Armed robbery is specifically defined as the act of taking property from a person or place while using a weapon or threatening the use of a weapon. The fundamental aspect that distinguishes armed robbery from other types of theft or robbery is the presence or implied threat of a weapon, which instills fear and compels the victim to surrender their property. This use of a weapon can cause imminent fear of harm, thus elevating the severity of the crime compared to theft or robbery that does not involve any weapon or threats.

The other options describe scenarios that do not fit the legal definition of armed robbery. Taking property without a threat, stealing without using force, and taking property in a non-violent manner all describe forms of theft that do not involve the intimidation or coercion that a weapon represents. Therefore, they do not meet the criteria for armed robbery.