Which type of thief is more likely to resort to violence and targets victims based on opportunity?

The type of thief more likely to resort to violence and target victims based on opportunity is the semi-professional thief. These individuals typically operate outside the confines of careful planning and strategy that characterize professional thieves. Instead, they may act impulsively and are often more prone to resorting to violence or intimidation when confronted or when they perceive an immediate threat to themselves.

Semi-professional thieves operate in environments where they are often driven by immediate needs or desires rather than a premeditated plan. This leads them to crimes of opportunity, whereby they seize the moment to commit theft when the potential risks seem low. Their lack of experience compared to professional thieves can result in a greater likelihood of encountering resistance from victims, which might escalate to violence.

In contrast, professional thieves usually have a set method and operate in a calculated manner, minimizing risk and often avoiding violence as a means to maintain their operation's success. Con artists rely on deception rather than physical theft, while burglars tend to target properties rather than individuals, often choosing their victims based on low risk rather than opportunity for violence.