Xã hội học - Robbery

TWELVERobberyLEARNING OBJECTIVES Identify and explain the elements of robbery Describe the three styles of robberies based on the amount of planning involved Be familiar with the various types of robberies Discuss three explanations for the increase in carjackings Explain police response to the robbery scene and tactical situations at the scene Explain officers' responsibilities in the original robbery investigation and follow-up investigation Describe action, physical and situational stereotyping Define and give examples of robbery preventative measures, anticipatory strategies and reactive measures12-1ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME OF ROBBERY Robbery consists of the following elements: Taking. The property taken in a robbery must be taken illegally by the robber.Carry away. Once the element of taking has been satisfied, the robber must then have carried away the property.Personal property. The object of the robbery must be personal property as opposed to real estate or things attached to the land.12-2(a)ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME OF ROBBERY (cont'd) Another. The property taken must belong to another, not to the accused.The intent to deprive permanently. Robbery is a crime of specific intent.The use of force, fear, or threat of force. This element of the crime requires that the force or threat of force was directed against the physical safety of the victim.12-2(b)TYPOLOGY OF ROBBERIES Visible Street RobberiesApproximately 5 of every 10 robberies happen on the streetCarjackingsIn Detroit in 1990 the term carjacking was coined to describe the growing numbers of these potentially violent confrontations between offenders and car driving victimsHome Invasion RobberiesRobberies in which one or more perpetrators actually enter the home make up about 12 percent of reported robberies12-3(a)TYPOLOGY OF ROBBERIES Automatic Teller Machine RobberiesAt one point robberies at these locations were so publicized that critics referred to ATMs as “magnets for crime”Taxi Cab RobberiesTaxi cab drivers are easy targets because they work alone, are available at all times of the day and nightConvenience Store RobberiesConvenience stores account for about six percent of all reported robberiesTruck Hijacking RobberiesIn this country, cargo theft may be responsible for losses of a $10 to $12 billion a year12-3(b)ATM MACHINE ROBBERIESRecently those robberies have declined due to:being placed in highly visible locations.having better surrounding lighting.12-4© Syracuse Newspapers/The Image Works_TECHNIQUES USED IN COMMITTING TRUCK HIJACKING ROBBERIESTruck drivers may be confronted at "road blocks" or "detours" set up by robbersThey may be forced from the road as they enter or leave truck stopsThey may be tricked into helping "disabled" motoristHijackers may invade truck parks and seize or kill security personnel12-5SETTING OF ROBBERIESStreet Robberies:Involve a single offenderAre committed by a youthful robberAre also called muggings or strong-arm robberies12-6ARREST PROBABILITIES Robbery bears a comparatively low clearance rate. The reasons for this are several:Physical evidence may not be foundThe time of perpetrators at the scene is limitedWitnesses are usually shaken so their information runs from minimal to completely erroneous12-7OFFICER STEROTYPING EN ROUTE TO A ROBBERYThese stereotypes should be avoided:Action stereotyping occurs when the officer's expectations are so set to see one thing that he or she fails to perceive the event accuratelyPhysical stereotyping is an officer's expectation that the robber will be of a particular descriptionIn situational stereotyping the officer’s previous experience with and knowledge of a particular location increases their vulnerability12-8CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERYEnsure you have all available information from the dispatcherBe alert for suspects fleeing from the scene on foot or in a vehicleMentally review information from other recent robberiesKnow your primary tactical objectivesPublic safetyOfficer protectionTactical control of scene12-9(a)CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)Be prepared to execute secondary objectives, including Conducting preliminary investigation Apprehending perpetratorRecovering propertyUse a low-profile approach to the scene arriving unobserved by the perpetrator.Plan and coordinate actions with other responding units12-9(b)CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)Realize that perpetrators may have police scanners and adjust your radio transmissions accordinglyNever assume the robber(s) has/have left the sceneRespond to the scene on parallel streets using emergency lights, but not the sirenRemember it is believed nine out of ten robbery-hostage incidents occur due to a too-visible first-responding officer12-9(c)CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)At a distance of three to five blocks in urban setting and further in rural areas, turn off your emergency lights to avoid being spotted by a lookoutDecelerate smoothly without "squealing" tiresSize up the situation, check for: Suspects on the sceneLookoutsEscape vehicles12-9(d)CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd)Keep your vehicle and portable radios at low volume to avoid being detectedPrimary and backup officers should take complimentary position where they can watch different aspects of building and not have lines of fire which endanger each otherDo not get so close to the scene that you are "inside" of possible lookouts, a situation that could expose you to fire from two sides12-9(e)OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE ORIGINAL ROBBERY INVESTIGATION Conduct a thorough crime scene searchCarefully interview witnesses and victimsSecure the most accurate identification and descriptionsCheck avenues of robber approach and flight for cluesConduct a neighborhood canvas12-10MANUAL COMPOSITE FACIAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEMHundreds of transparencies of different facial features can be selected from and “sandwiched” together to create a likeness of a suspect; with nearly four decades of experience Identi-Kit is a leading brand name for this product.12-11ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERY Review a copy of original offense report to become familiar with the caseConsider facts that suggest an M.O., such as: words spoken by the perpetratorchoice of weaponstype of property takenExamine all physical evidence12-12(a)ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERY (cont'd) Conduct a file check of the victim(s) to see if they often reported robberies in the past.Reinterview the victim and witnesses if it appears some information was not obtained due to incomplete questioningHave the victim and witnesses view the mug-shot file of known and active robbers12-2(b)ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERY (cont'd) Return to the crime scene at the same time of day in an attempt to locate additional witnessesReconduct a neighborhood checkAttempt to tie the robbery to other robberies in the hope that the combined information may lead to suspect(s)Reliable informants should be judiciously contacted12-12(c)COMPUSKETCHComputer programs such as Compusketch:Aid investigatorsCreate suspect likenessesUse exiting digital mug-shot databasesAre used throughout the world12-13(Courtesy Idaho Bureau of Investigation)THE CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN AND THE LABORATORYIn many departments, the uniformed officer is responsible for processing the crime sceneOther departments are fortunate enough to have the services of a crime scene technician trained in procuring evidence at the crime sceneForensic Photography AnalysisEven when robbers wear a mask, the analysis of forensic photographs may yield useful information such as the height of the suspect and defects in clothes12-14“THREE STRIKES” LAWSState laws which mandate the lengthy incarceration of repeat offenders or to imprisonment without the possibility of parole12-15ROBBERY PREVENTION MEASURESSuch measures include but are not limited to:Post signs reporting that you keep less than $50 case on handLimit exits and entrancesNever open the safe when you can be observedCount case and prepare bank deposits out of sight12-16ROBBERY ANTICIPATORY MEASURES: WHAT TO DO DURING A ROBBERYSuch measures include but are not limited to:Tell the robber you will comply with his/her directionsFollow the robber's directionsStay calmTry to observe the robbers direction and method of flight12-17ROBBERY REACTIVE STRATEGIES: WHAT TO DO AFTER A ROBBERYSuch measures include but are not limited to:Do not attempt to follow the robberHit the alarm and call 911Ask witnesses to stay and to not discuss what they sawProtect the crime scene12-18