According to the Code of Hammurabi (articles 6 and 212, there were two ways of dealing with robbery;
a) If the robber was caught red-handed, he should be put to death,
b) If the robber was not caught right away, the plaintiff (owner of the stolen goods) could make a statement providing evidence to put the blame on a particular individual. If the accusation was true and proven, the guilty party should return the stolen goods (retribution).
