Chapter 12 Robbery Hess 12-1

Introduction Robbery has plagued the human race throughout history Robbery is one of the three most violent crimes against the person Most robberies were committed on streets or highways Firearms were used in 42.6 percent of robberies This crime poses a definite hazard to law enforcement officers Hess 12-2

DEFINITION Felonious taking of another’s property Either directly from the person or in that person’s presence Through force or intimidation  Oral demand  Note Hess 12-3 Robbery: An Overview

CATEGORIES Residential Commercial Street Vehicle-driver Hess 12-4 Classification

RESIDENTIAL Less frequent than the other types Tends to involve entire families Home invaders usually target a resident Home-invading robberies are increasing in rural areas Hess 12-5 Classification

COMMERCIAL Occurs most frequently toward the end of the week Committed by individuals with criminal records MOs should be compared with those of past robberies Convenience stores that are robbed once are likely to be robbed again Hess 12-6 Classification

STREET Most frequently committed on public streets, sidewalks, in alleys and in parking lots Most are committed with a weapon Both the victim and the robber are usually on foot Speed and surprise typify street robberies Hess 12-7 Classification

VEHICLE-DRIVER Delivery and messenger vehicles Armored trucks and personal cars Taxis Buses Trucks Hess 12-8 Classification

CARJACKING Taking of a motor vehicle by force or threat of force Some stage accidents BANK ROBBERY Jurisdiction of the FBI Professional versus amateur Robberies at ATM machines Hess 12-9 Classification

OVERVIEW In most state statutes, common elements exist:  The wrongful taking of personal property  From the person or in the person’s presence  Against the person’s will by force or threat of force Hess Elements of the Crime: Robbery

ALL-UNITS RESPONSE Proceed rapidly, but use caution Assume robbers at scene Be prepared for gunfire Look for/immobilize getaway vehicle Avoid hostage situation if possible Make immediate arrest if possible Hess Responding to a Robbery-in-Progress Call

OVERVIEW Average length is approximately 12 hours Special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams and crisis negotiation teams (CNTs) Main priority is to preserve life Stockholm syndrome Hess Hostage Situations

CHALLENGES FOR INVESTIGATORS Lag time in reporting a robbery Speed of its occurrence Traumatizing effect on victims and witnesses Nature of stolen items Hess Preliminary Investigation and Special Challenges

ELEMENTS OF ROBBERY Taking of property Who is the legal owner? Was property taken or intended to be taken?  From the person or in the presence of the person  By force or the threat of force Hess Proving the Elements of the Offense

IDENTIFYING THE SUSPECT General appearance Clothing Disguises Weapon Vehicle Hess The Complete Investigation

ESTABLISHING MODUS OPERANDI Type of robbery and time Method of attack and weapon Number of robbers Voice and words Vehicles used Peculiarities and objects sought Hess The Complete Investigation

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE Minimal at robbery scene Surveillance cameras MAPPING ROBBERY Inherently serial Global Information Software (GIS) mapping capabilities Hess The Complete Investigation

INDICATORS Unusual delay in reporting Amount of the loss not fitting victim’s financial status Lack of correspondence with the physical evidence Improbable events Exceptionally detailed or vague description of offender Lack of cooperation Hess False Robbery Reports

Summary Robbery is the felonious taking of another’s property Robberies are classified as either residential, commercial, street or vehicle-driver Bank robberies are within the jurisdiction of the FBI Prove each element of robbery separately Obtain information about the suspect’s general appearance, clothing, disguises and vehicle Hess 12-19