Well, if we're going to venture into the implications of words, then it's even clearer.
The "with force" in the statute clearly implies that the force in question be used to unlawfully gain entry into a house, etc.
The "violence" in the article is clearly NOT implying that the perp was violent toward people's windows. You don't use the word "violent" when talking about people breaking windows, but "destructive."
The word "violent" implies attacks on people, not stuff.
To further clarify, here's the FBI's definition of the term "violent crime", as it is used in their statistics:
Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.The perp was committing a burglary, not a robbery. So, no violent crime.
§ 30.02. BURGLARY. (a) A person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the owner, the person:
(1) enters a habitation, or a building (or any portion of a building) not then open to the public, with intent to commit a felony, theft, or an assault; or
(2) remains concealed, with intent to commit a felony, theft, or an assault, in a building or habitation; or
(3) enters a building or habitation and commits or attempts to commit a felony, theft, or an assault.
§ 29.02. ROBBERY. (a) A person commits an offense if, in the course of committing theft as defined in Chapter 31 and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he:
(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.
Ah, but in Texas, burglary becomes robbery when someone else (say, the householder) is present and the other party does not flee.
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death."" I would say that a perp brandishing a weapon (in this case a fire extinguisher that could easily cause great bodily harm, or worse - kill someone if they were bashed over the head with it) is doing just that and is violent under your terms. Put simply, he was doing exactly that and it would fit into the burglary, not the robbery category if we follow your definition of the term!