Part of the LEO interest in this thread is terminology. All professions have their own set of words that mean a lot to them but may end up being used in a vague way by others.
Let's say you feel a pickpocket with his hand in your, you guessed it, pocket. You turn and confront him. He is guilty (this is using California law, your state or country may vary) of Grand Theft, a felony. The exact term is theft from Person, but GT may also be for taking a firearm, taking above a certain amount of agricultural products (gotta watch how many chickens of avocados you pilfer).
After being confronted, said person takes a swing at you and misses. This is an assault. If he connects it is a battery. Both of these are misdemeanors, all the following are felonies. If he sees a convenient lead pipe left by a pilgrim (artistic license here) and swings but misses it is an Attempt Assault with a Deadly Weapon (A/ADW) If he connects it is an ADW. If he continues to strike you about the head it can be an Attempt Murder, if you survive. If you don't it is a murder. Robbery is the taking by force or fear. If no weapon is involved it is termed Strongarm robbery, if a weapon is used, be it a lead pipe, firearm, knife or any other device you are afraid of it it just a robbery. In the last instance, in L.A. we had a robbery suspect who carried a hypo filled with what he said was blood contaminated by AIDS.
So, you see, the devil is in the details. I do not think the OP is going to respond and do not know if the incident really took place. And I apologize for rambling on, but my professional curiosity just took control and I ended up writing an intro to criminal law. Will the madness never end!!!!!!!!!!!