Assault refers to which of the following?

Assault is defined as the act of threatening harm or making a physical attack on another person. It involves creating a fear of imminent harm in the victim, even if no physical contact occurs. This understanding of assault emphasizes the importance of the perceived threat in the context of personal safety.

The other options, while related to criminal behavior, do not accurately capture the essence of assault. Taking someone else's possessions pertains more to theft, which involves the unlawful taking of property. Fleeing from a crime scene is an action that may indicate guilt or attempt to evade law enforcement but is not itself defined as assault. A legal defense for theft refers to arguments or justifications presented in court regarding theft charges, which again does not relate to the concept of assault.