Some Statistics about RobberySome Statistics about RobberyIn 90% of robberies, the suspect is a In 90% of robberies, the suspect is a malemale

Most robberies occur in metropolitan Most robberies occur in metropolitan areasareas

Most robberies are committed by Most robberies are committed by strangersstrangers

60% of robberies occur in the evening60% of robberies occur in the evening

Offenders displayed a weapon in Offenders displayed a weapon in about half of all robberiesabout half of all robberies

More thoughts and statsMore thoughts and stats

Males are victimized more than twice as often as Males are victimized more than twice as often as femalesfemales

Persons 12-24 years have a higher probability of Persons 12-24 years have a higher probability of being a victimbeing a victim

Blacks are victimized 3 times more often than Blacks are victimized 3 times more often than whites; Hispanics twice as often as whiteswhites; Hispanics twice as often as whites

People making less than $7,500 are victimized People making less than $7,500 are victimized more than 3 times as much as those making more than 3 times as much as those making more than $35,000more than $35,000

Most people do not make good witnesses because Most people do not make good witnesses because it happens so quickly and there is a high degree it happens so quickly and there is a high degree of stressof stress

Armed Robbery: ElementsArmed Robbery: Elements(Felony - Up to Life)(Felony - Up to Life)

750.529 750.529 Any person who shall assault Any person who shall assault another, and shall feloniously rob, steal another, and shall feloniously rob, steal and take from his person, or in his and take from his person, or in his presence, any money or other property, presence, any money or other property, which may be the subject of larceny, such which may be the subject of larceny, such robber being armed with a dangerous robber being armed with a dangerous weapon, or any article used or fashioned in weapon, or any article used or fashioned in a manner to lead the person so assaulted a manner to lead the person so assaulted to reasonably believe it to be a dangerous to reasonably believe it to be a dangerous weapon, shall be guilty of a felony.weapon, shall be guilty of a felony.

Unarmed Robbery: ElementsUnarmed Robbery: Elements(Up to 15 years)(Up to 15 years)

750.530 Any person who shall, by 750.530 Any person who shall, by force and violence, or by assault or force and violence, or by assault or putting in fear, feloniously rob, steal putting in fear, feloniously rob, steal and take from the person of another, and take from the person of another, or in his presence, any money or or in his presence, any money or other property which may be the other property which may be the subject of larceny, such robber not subject of larceny, such robber not being armed with a dangerous being armed with a dangerous weapon, shall be guilty of a felony.weapon, shall be guilty of a felony.

ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME OF ROBBERY ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME OF ROBBERY

(cont'd(cont'd) )

– Another. The property taken must Another. The property taken must belong to another, not to the accused.belong to another, not to the accused.

– The intent to deprive permanently. The intent to deprive permanently. Robbery is a crime of specific intent.Robbery is a crime of specific intent.

– The use of force, fear, or threat of force. The use of force, fear, or threat of force. This element of the crime requires that This element of the crime requires that the force or threat of force was directed the force or threat of force was directed against the physical safety of the victim.against the physical safety of the victim.

TYPOLOGY OF ROBBERIESTYPOLOGY OF ROBBERIES Visible Street RobberiesVisible Street Robberies– Approximately 5 of every 10 robberies happen Approximately 5 of every 10 robberies happen

on the streeton the street

CarjackingsCarjackings– In Detroit in 1990 the term carjacking was coined In Detroit in 1990 the term carjacking was coined

to describe the growing numbers of these to describe the growing numbers of these potentially violent confrontations between potentially violent confrontations between offenders and car driving victimsoffenders and car driving victims

Home Invasion RobberiesHome Invasion Robberies– Robberies in which one or more perpetrators Robberies in which one or more perpetrators

actually enter the home make up about 12 actually enter the home make up about 12 percent of reported robberiespercent of reported robberies

TYPOLOGY OF ROBBERIESTYPOLOGY OF ROBBERIES – Automatic Teller Machine RobberiesAutomatic Teller Machine Robberies

At one point robberies at these locations were so At one point robberies at these locations were so publicized that critics referred to ATMs as “magnets publicized that critics referred to ATMs as “magnets for crime”for crime”

Taxi Cab RobberiesTaxi Cab Robberies– Taxi cab drivers are easy targets because they work Taxi cab drivers are easy targets because they work

alone, are available at all times of the day and nightalone, are available at all times of the day and night

Convenience Store RobberiesConvenience Store Robberies– Convenience stores account for about six percent of all Convenience stores account for about six percent of all

reported robberiesreported robberies

Truck Hijacking RobberiesTruck Hijacking Robberies– In this country, cargo theft may be responsible for In this country, cargo theft may be responsible for

losses of a $10 to $12 billion a yearlosses of a $10 to $12 billion a year

ATM MACHINE ROBBERIESATM MACHINE ROBBERIES

Recently those robberies have declined due to:Recently those robberies have declined due to:– being placed in highly visible locations.being placed in highly visible locations.

– having better surrounding lightinghaving better surrounding lighting..

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TECHNIQUES USED IN COMMITTING TECHNIQUES USED IN COMMITTING TRUCK HIJACKING ROBBERIESTRUCK HIJACKING ROBBERIES

Truck drivers may be confronted at "road blocks" Truck drivers may be confronted at "road blocks" or "detours" set up by robbersor "detours" set up by robbers

They may be forced from the road as they enter They may be forced from the road as they enter or leave truck stopsor leave truck stops

They may be tricked into helping "disabled" They may be tricked into helping "disabled" motoristmotorist

Hijackers may invade truck parksHijackers may invade truck parks and seize and seize or or kill security personnelkill security personnel

SETTING OF ROBBERIESSETTING OF ROBBERIES

Street Robberies:Street Robberies:– Involve a single offenderInvolve a single offender– Are committed by a youthful robberAre committed by a youthful robber– Are also called muggings or strong-arm Are also called muggings or strong-arm

robberiesrobberies

ARREST PROBABILITIES ARREST PROBABILITIES

Robbery bears a comparatively low Robbery bears a comparatively low clearance rate. The reasons for this clearance rate. The reasons for this are several:are several:– Physical evidence may not be foundPhysical evidence may not be found– The time of perpetrators at the scene is The time of perpetrators at the scene is

limitedlimited– Witnesses are usually shaken so their Witnesses are usually shaken so their

information runs from minimal to information runs from minimal to completely erroneouscompletely erroneous

OFFICER STEROTYPING EN ROUTE TO A OFFICER STEROTYPING EN ROUTE TO A ROBBERYROBBERY

These stereotypes should be avoided:These stereotypes should be avoided:– Action stereotyping occurs when the officer's Action stereotyping occurs when the officer's

expectations are so set to see one thing that expectations are so set to see one thing that he or she fails to perceive the event accuratelyhe or she fails to perceive the event accurately

– Physical stereotyping is an officer's expectation Physical stereotyping is an officer's expectation that the robber will be of a particular that the robber will be of a particular descriptiondescription

– In situational stereotyping the officer’s In situational stereotyping the officer’s previous experience with and knowledge of a previous experience with and knowledge of a particular location increases their vulnerabilityparticular location increases their vulnerability

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERYAPPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY

Ensure you have all available information from Ensure you have all available information from the dispatcherthe dispatcher

Be alert for suspects fleeing from the scene on Be alert for suspects fleeing from the scene on foot or in a vehiclefoot or in a vehicle

Mentally review information from other recent Mentally review information from other recent robberiesrobberies

Know your primary tactical objectivesKnow your primary tactical objectives– Public safetyPublic safety– Officer protectionOfficer protection– Tactical control of sceneTactical control of scene

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY

(cont'd)(cont'd)

Be prepared to execute secondary objectives, Be prepared to execute secondary objectives, includingincluding– Conducting preliminary investigationConducting preliminary investigation– Apprehending perpetratorApprehending perpetrator– Recovering propertyRecovering property

Use a low-profile approach to the scene arriving Use a low-profile approach to the scene arriving unobserved by the perpetrator.unobserved by the perpetrator.

Plan and coordinate actions with other responding Plan and coordinate actions with other responding unitsunits

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY

(cont'd)(cont'd)Realize that perpetrators may have police Realize that perpetrators may have police scanners and adjust your radio transmissions scanners and adjust your radio transmissions accordinglyaccordingly

Never assume the robber(s) has/have left the Never assume the robber(s) has/have left the scenescene

Respond to the scene on parallel streets using Respond to the scene on parallel streets using emergency lights, but not the sirenemergency lights, but not the siren

Remember it is believed nine out of ten robbery-Remember it is believed nine out of ten robbery-hostage incidents occur due to a too-visible first-hostage incidents occur due to a too-visible first-responding officerresponding officer

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)

At a distance of three to five blocks in urban At a distance of three to five blocks in urban setting and further in rural areas, turn off your setting and further in rural areas, turn off your emergency lights to avoid being spotted by a emergency lights to avoid being spotted by a lookoutlookout

Decelerate smoothly without "squealing" tiresDecelerate smoothly without "squealing" tires

Size up the situation, check for: Size up the situation, check for: – Suspects on the sceneSuspects on the scene– LookoutsLookouts– Escape vehiclesEscape vehicles

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)

Keep your vehicle and portable radios at low Keep your vehicle and portable radios at low volume to avoid being detectedvolume to avoid being detected

Primary and backup officers should take Primary and backup officers should take complimentary position where they can watch complimentary position where they can watch different aspects of building and not have lines of different aspects of building and not have lines of fire which endanger each otherfire which endanger each other

Do not get so close to the scene that you are Do not get so close to the scene that you are "inside" of possible lookouts, a situation that "inside" of possible lookouts, a situation that could expose you to fire from two sidescould expose you to fire from two sides

OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE

ORIGINAL ROBBERY INVESTIGATIONORIGINAL ROBBERY INVESTIGATION Conduct a thorough crime scene searchConduct a thorough crime scene search

Carefully interview witnesses and victimsCarefully interview witnesses and victims

Secure the most accurate identification Secure the most accurate identification and descriptionsand descriptions

Check avenues of robber approach and Check avenues of robber approach and flight for cluesflight for clues

Conduct a neighborhood canvasConduct a neighborhood canvas

MANUAL COMPOSITE FACIAL MANUAL COMPOSITE FACIAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMIDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

Hundreds of transparencies of Hundreds of transparencies of different facial features can be different facial features can be selected from and “sandwiched” selected from and “sandwiched” together to create a likeness of a together to create a likeness of a suspect; with nearly four decades of suspect; with nearly four decades of experience Identi-Kit is a leading experience Identi-Kit is a leading brand name for this product.brand name for this product.

COMPUSKETCHCOMPUSKETCHComputer programs such as Compusketch:Computer programs such as Compusketch:– Aid investigatorsAid investigators– Create suspect likenessesCreate suspect likenesses– Use exiting digital mug-shot databasesUse exiting digital mug-shot databases– Are used throughout theAre used throughout the worldworld

(Courtesy Idaho Bureau of Investigation)

ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO

FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERYFOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERY Review a copy of original offense report to Review a copy of original offense report to become familiar with the casebecome familiar with the case

Consider facts that suggest an M.O., such as:Consider facts that suggest an M.O., such as:– words spoken by the perpetratorwords spoken by the perpetrator– choice of weaponschoice of weapons– type of property takentype of property taken

Examine all physical evidenceExamine all physical evidence

ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A

ROBBERY (cont'd)ROBBERY (cont'd) Conduct a file check of the victim(s) to see Conduct a file check of the victim(s) to see if they often reported robberies in the if they often reported robberies in the past.past.

Re-interview the victim and witnesses if it Re-interview the victim and witnesses if it appears some information was not appears some information was not obtained due to incomplete questioningobtained due to incomplete questioning

Have the victim and witnesses view the Have the victim and witnesses view the mug-shot file of known and active robbersmug-shot file of known and active robbers

ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERY FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERY

(cont'd)(cont'd) Return to the crime scene at the same time of Return to the crime scene at the same time of day in an attempt to locate additional day in an attempt to locate additional witnesseswitnesses

Reconduct a neighborhood checkReconduct a neighborhood check

Attempt to tie the robbery to other robberies Attempt to tie the robbery to other robberies in the hope that the combined information in the hope that the combined information may lead to suspect(s)may lead to suspect(s)

Reliable informants should be judiciously Reliable informants should be judiciously contactedcontacted

THE CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN THE CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN AND THE LABORATORYAND THE LABORATORY

In many departments, the uniformed officer is In many departments, the uniformed officer is responsible for processing the crime sceneresponsible for processing the crime scene– Other departments are fortunate enough to Other departments are fortunate enough to

have the services of a crime scene technician have the services of a crime scene technician trained in procuring evidence at the crime trained in procuring evidence at the crime scenescene

Forensic Photography AnalysisForensic Photography Analysis– Even when robbers wear a mask, the analysis Even when robbers wear a mask, the analysis

of forensic photographs may yield useful of forensic photographs may yield useful information such as the height of the suspect information such as the height of the suspect and defects in clothesand defects in clothes

Home Invasion: ElementsHome Invasion: ElementsFirst DegreeFirst Degree

First Degree (20 year, $5,000)First Degree (20 year, $5,000)A person who breaks and enters a dwelling with A person who breaks and enters a dwelling with intent to commit a felony or a larceny in the intent to commit a felony or a larceny in the dwelling or person who enters a dwelling without dwelling or person who enters a dwelling without permission with intent to commit a felony or permission with intent to commit a felony or larceny is guilty of home invasion in the first larceny is guilty of home invasion in the first degree if, at any time while the person is degree if, at any time while the person is entering, present in or exiting the dwelling either entering, present in or exiting the dwelling either of the following circumstances exist:of the following circumstances exist:– The person is armed with a dangerous weaponThe person is armed with a dangerous weapon– Another person is lawfully present in the dwellingAnother person is lawfully present in the dwelling

Home Invasion: Second DegreeHome Invasion: Second Degree(15 years, $3,000)(15 years, $3,000)

A person who breaks and enters a A person who breaks and enters a dwelling with intent to commit a dwelling with intent to commit a felony or larceny or who enters felony or larceny or who enters without permission with such intent without permission with such intent is guilty of home invasion in the 2is guilty of home invasion in the 2ndnd DegreeDegree

Breaking and Entering: ElementsBreaking and Entering: Elements(Felony: 10 Year)(Felony: 10 Year)

750.110 A person who breaks and 750.110 A person who breaks and enters, with intent to commit a enters, with intent to commit a felony or a larceny therein, a tent, felony or a larceny therein, a tent, hotel, office, store, shop, warehouse, hotel, office, store, shop, warehouse, barn, granary, factory or other barn, granary, factory or other building, structure, boat, ship or building, structure, boat, ship or railroad car.railroad car.

B & E – Con’tB & E – Con’tTo prove B & E the investigation must To prove B & E the investigation must establish and the prosecution must prove establish and the prosecution must prove each of the following elements:each of the following elements:

1.1. That the defendant broke into the buildingThat the defendant broke into the building

2.2. That the defendant entered the buildingThat the defendant entered the building

3.3. When the defendant broke and entered When the defendant broke and entered (he/she) intended to commit <state offense>(he/she) intended to commit <state offense>

– Related Offenses:Related Offenses: Entering w/o Breaking (5 years)Entering w/o Breaking (5 years) Possession of burglar’s tools (10 years)Possession of burglar’s tools (10 years)

Burglary and Home InvasionBurglary and Home Invasion

Characteristics that are common to Characteristics that are common to both home invasion and the B & E of both home invasion and the B & E of commercial locationscommercial locations

PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR BURGLARSBURGLARS

Professional burglars:Professional burglars:– plan their burglariesplan their burglaries– are seldom arrestedare seldom arrested– steal large value itemssteal large value items– commit only a few offenses per yearcommit only a few offenses per year

PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR

BURGLARS (cont'd)BURGLARS (cont'd)

Amateur burglars:Amateur burglars:– Seldom plan their burglariesSeldom plan their burglaries– Are frequently arrestedAre frequently arrested– Work in small segments of their cityWork in small segments of their city– Seldom have a “big score”Seldom have a “big score”– May commit other violent offenses if May commit other violent offenses if

confrontedconfronted– Often have lengthy arrest recordsOften have lengthy arrest records

THE LAW THE LAW The crime of burglary generally consists The crime of burglary generally consists of the following elements:of the following elements:– breaking and enteringbreaking and entering– a dwelling house or other building belonging a dwelling house or other building belonging

to anotherto another– with the intent to commit a crime thereinwith the intent to commit a crime therein

Burglary and related offenses are Burglary and related offenses are classified as crimes against the classified as crimes against the habitation, dwelling, or building itself; no habitation, dwelling, or building itself; no force need be directed against a personforce need be directed against a person

APPROACHING THE BURGLARY APPROACHING THE BURGLARY

SCENE AND INITIAL ACTIONSSCENE AND INITIAL ACTIONS When responding to a burglary-in-progress call, When responding to a burglary-in-progress call, uniformed officers should drive rapidly while uniformed officers should drive rapidly while avoiding excessive noiseavoiding excessive noise

When dispatched to a burglary-in-progress call, When dispatched to a burglary-in-progress call, the uniformed officer working alone should the uniformed officer working alone should attempt to coordinate his or her arrival time and attempt to coordinate his or her arrival time and position with the backup unitposition with the backup unit

If a burglary has been committed and the police If a burglary has been committed and the police department has a canine unit, the uniformed department has a canine unit, the uniformed officer at the scene should request its presence officer at the scene should request its presence prior to entering the buildingprior to entering the building

BURGLARY TOOLSBURGLARY TOOLS

These tools are often similar to These tools are often similar to household tools:household tools:– crowbarscrowbars– screwdriversscrewdrivers– modified tools used as lockpicksmodified tools used as lockpicks

FencesFences

Those who knowingly purchase Those who knowingly purchase stolen goods at a fraction of their stolen goods at a fraction of their actual worth, and then resell the actual worth, and then resell the item for a considerable profit.item for a considerable profit.

TYPES OF FENCESTYPES OF FENCESThere are numerous types of fencesThere are numerous types of fences

– AmateursAmateurs– Store owners and individuals who often only Store owners and individuals who often only

but the goods for which they have placed an but the goods for which they have placed an order with the thieforder with the thief

– ProfessionalsProfessionals– Occasional or opportunistic fencesOccasional or opportunistic fences– Providers of illicit goods and servicesProviders of illicit goods and services– Technology proficient thieves and fences Technology proficient thieves and fences

who do their business on the internetwho do their business on the internet

TYPES OF FENCES (cont'd)TYPES OF FENCES (cont'd)– The police know that the more that The police know that the more that

receiver markets can be disrupted or receiver markets can be disrupted or eliminated, the greater the likelihood that eliminated, the greater the likelihood that there will be some reduction in burglarythere will be some reduction in burglary

– Police “sting” operations are an effective Police “sting” operations are an effective means of:means of:

combating fencescombating fences

identifying active criminals identifying active criminals

penetrating criminal organizations penetrating criminal organizations

recovering propertyrecovering property

STING OPERATIONSTING OPERATION

An effective means of combating fences, An effective means of combating fences, undercover officers set up a legitimate undercover officers set up a legitimate appearing business or other type of appearing business or other type of location in which they slowly gain a location in which they slowly gain a reputation of being a fence. reputation of being a fence.

Transactions are videotaped. Transactions are videotaped.

Property is recovered, other fences are Property is recovered, other fences are identified, and ultimately thieves began identified, and ultimately thieves began talking openly about criminal matters, talking openly about criminal matters, creating an important intelligence source.creating an important intelligence source.

PAWN SHOPSPAWN SHOPSPawnshops are seen by many as part of Pawnshops are seen by many as part of fencing operationsfencing operationsSome cities have passed laws to help Some cities have passed laws to help regulate pawn shopsregulate pawn shopsThose same laws help to reduce the Those same laws help to reduce the number of pawnshops acting as fencesnumber of pawnshops acting as fences