Which crime involves the illegal taking of a person against their will?

The crime that involves the illegal taking of a person against their will is kidnapping. Kidnapping is defined in California Penal Code 207, which specifies that it occurs when a person unlawfully seizes and carries away another person by means of force or instilling fear. This act of forcibly taking someone against their will is central to the definition of kidnapping.

This crime does not merely involve an assault or taking of property, as is the case with robbery, which requires theft involving force or fear, but rather specifically targets the unlawful control over a person's freedom of movement. Unlike carjacking, which pertains to the unlawful taking of a vehicle, and assault, which involves causing fear or the threat of violence, kidnapping is uniquely focused on the act of taking and holding another individual, thus making it a more serious offense with stringent penalties in California.