DISTRACTION THEFT SHOPLIFTING ARE YOU A TARGET? Provided Courtesy of SHERIFF DONALD F. ESLINGER CHIEF DENNIS PETERSON SHERIFF DONALD F. ESLINGER CHIEF DENNIS PETERSON Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Oviedo Police Department Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Oviedo Police Department 100 Bush Blvd. 400 Alexandria Blvd. 100 Bush Blvd. 400 Alexandria Blvd. Sanford Fl Oviedo, Fl Sanford Fl Oviedo, Fl

TRAVELING CRIMINALS Professional Thieves: Highly Organized Work In Teams- 2 or more All Operations Well Choreographed Specialize in: Distraction Thefts Shoplifting-Clothing; Electronics Till Tapping Office Safes

ILLUSION, CONFUSION DISTRACTION Property & Money Will hit “Mom & Pop” Convenience Stores Cookie Cutter Operations (same floor plan- Home Depot, Lowes, Albertson’s) Chain Stores Work in teams of two or more Team- 2 car loads- males and females, young and old ALL PLANNED OUT All know what to do; where to go; know when to leave

BE ALERT IF…. A large group enters the business at once, and the women are all dressed in long baggy clothing, all talking in a foreign language; and/or You notice a customer trying to distract or confuse an employee(s); and/or Customers are lurking near “Un-Authorized”areas, such as the office; and/or A vehicle is parked, with male driver, very conveniently located near exit for quick getaway. Because you may end up asking yourself…

HOW’D THEY DO THAT? “UPC” tag - One actor will peel bar code tag off an in- expensive item and place it over the bar code of an expensive item, “mark” the item and leave. Second actor will pick up the “marked” item and purchase it. Items are either returned at another store for cash or shipped overseas to sell on the black-market. Clothing- Teams of women enter, dressed in loose fitting baggy clothing and steal items by wearing the items out of the store under their own clothing.

MORE WAYS Booster Apron- a large pocketed apron worn under their baggy clothing that’s filled with stolen items. “Lined Bag”- Large shopping bag lined with aluminum foil / duct tape. Bag is filled with items that have an electronic merchandise tag and the lining defeats the sensors at exit doors. Canadian Build Up Scheme - Better known as the “Quick Change” artist- attempts to confuse clerk by asking for change and then switching bills. Smash & Grab- Females enter a jewelry store and will smash glass display cases and take whatever they can.

“THE FAMILY THAT STEALS TOGETHER…” MILAN KONSTANTINOV MARA PAVLOV Work with 8 other family members- experts in stealing from the business’s office safe by distracting employees

Milan KonstantinovJohnMichael Jozih BabaJulieMara Kathy

BUNCHA JUCI Booster Apron Expert- if a family member is approached by store security, she has been known to pull her full skirt over her head and run from the store yelling loudly causing mass confusion. BUNCHA JUCI Booster Apron Expert- if a family member is approached by store security, she has been known to pull her full skirt over her head and run from the store yelling loudly causing mass confusion.

WALLENTINA KNAPEK “TILL TAP” Expert- (1) She will ask a clerk for change, then grabs the money from the clerk and using quick “slight of hand” palms most of the money. The rest is actually given back to the clerk who does not suspect anything as the money, now folded up, is given back to him or her quickly. (2)- She will reach into an opened register and pull out a large wad of 20’s and by folding the wad up quickly, and drawing off the bottom bills, the clerk is fooled into believing that the she has given all the money back. Shortages not realized until drawer is counted at shift change.

Wallentina Knapek

YOLANDA KARVEY “TILL TAP BLOCKING” Scam- She is the main “blocker” working with at least 2 other family members who assist in the distraction scam by positioning herself in front of security cameras or another employee to block their view of the suspect in the act of removing money from cash register.

John KnapekYolanda KarveyMikall Ringborn

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TRAVELING CRIMINALS Traveling Criminals will take advantage of busy times to perpetrate Distraction Thefts. (Holiday Shopping) So well organized they keep lists of prior targets and send “teams” back to victimize them again. Have lists of businesses in counties and cities that do not prosecute shoplifters Know what “Day Locks” are and how to get in. Have been known to distract employees so well that they can leave with stolen items AND the surveillance camera’s video player and tapes. ALL YOU CAN!

CRIME PREVENTION FOR SHOPLIFTERS Employee training- Best Help- require all employees attend an In-Service discussing Shoplifting and Distraction Thefts. Surveillance Cameras- Direct cameras at entrances to not be affected by the sun when doors open. Face cameras inward to get people leaving store Surveillance Camera Equipment- Keep recorders and tapes in locked location. Post signs- “Shoplifters Will Be Prosecuted” PROSECUTE!

CIVIL RECOVERY ACT In Florida a merchant may recover up to $ for cost of investigation or up to 3 times the value of the goods. Use a portion to reward employees for alerting security about a shoplifter.Use a portion to reward employees for alerting security about a shoplifter. MONEY TALK$!!MONEY TALK$!!