TWELVE Robbery

LEARNING 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 measures 12-1

ELEMENTS 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 Robberies Carjackings Approximately 5 of every 10 robberies happen on the street Carjackings In Detroit in 1990 the term carjacking was coined to describe the growing numbers of these potentially violent confrontations between offenders and car driving victims Home Invasion Robberies Robberies in which one or more perpetrators actually enter the home make up about 12 percent of reported robberies 12-3(a)

TYPOLOGY OF ROBBERIES Automatic Teller Machine Robberies At one point robberies at these locations were so publicized that critics referred to ATMs as “magnets for crime” Taxi Cab Robberies Taxi cab drivers are easy targets because they work alone, are available at all times of the day and night Convenience Store Robberies Convenience stores account for about six percent of all reported robberies Truck Hijacking Robberies In this country, cargo theft may be responsible for losses of a $10 to $12 billion a year 12-3(b)

ATM MACHINE ROBBERIES Recently those robberies have declined due to: being placed in highly visible locations. having better surrounding lighting. © Syracuse Newspapers/The Image Works_ 12-4

TECHNIQUES USED IN COMMITTING TRUCK HIJACKING ROBBERIES Truck drivers may be confronted at "road blocks" or "detours" set up by robbers They may be forced from the road as they enter or leave truck stops They may be tricked into helping "disabled" motorist Hijackers may invade truck parks and seize or kill security personnel 12-5

SETTING OF ROBBERIES Street Robberies: Involve a single offender Are committed by a youthful robber Are also called muggings or strong-arm robberies 12-6

ARREST PROBABILITIES Robbery bears a comparatively low clearance rate. The reasons for this are several: Physical evidence may not be found The time of perpetrators at the scene is limited Witnesses are usually shaken so their information runs from minimal to completely erroneous 12-7

OFFICER STEROTYPING EN ROUTE TO A ROBBERY These 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 accurately Physical stereotyping is an officer's expectation that the robber will be of a particular description In situational stereotyping the officer’s previous experience with and knowledge of a particular location increases their vulnerability 12-8

CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY Ensure you have all available information from the dispatcher Be alert for suspects fleeing from the scene on foot or in a vehicle Mentally review information from other recent robberies Know your primary tactical objectives Public safety Officer protection Tactical control of scene 12-9(a)

Be prepared to execute secondary objectives, including CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN OFFICER WHEN APPROACHING THE SCENE OF A ROBBERY (cont'd) Be prepared to execute secondary objectives, including Conducting preliminary investigation Apprehending perpetrator Recovering property Use a low-profile approach to the scene arriving unobserved by the perpetrator. Plan and coordinate actions with other responding units 12-9(b)

Never assume the robber(s) has/have left the scene 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 accordingly Never assume the robber(s) has/have left the scene Respond to the scene on parallel streets using emergency lights, but not the siren Remember it is believed nine out of ten robbery-hostage incidents occur due to a too-visible first-responding officer 12-9(c)

Decelerate smoothly without "squealing" tires 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 lookout Decelerate smoothly without "squealing" tires Size up the situation, check for: Suspects on the scene Lookouts Escape vehicles 12-9(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 detected Primary and backup officers should take complimentary position where they can watch different aspects of building and not have lines of fire which endanger each other Do not get so close to the scene that you are "inside" of possible lookouts, a situation that could expose you to fire from two sides 12-9(e)

OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE ORIGINAL ROBBERY INVESTIGATION Conduct a thorough crime scene search Carefully interview witnesses and victims Secure the most accurate identification and descriptions Check avenues of robber approach and flight for clues Conduct a neighborhood canvas 12-10

MANUAL COMPOSITE FACIAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM Hundreds 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. 12-11

Consider facts that suggest an M.O., such as: ACTIONS OF THE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION OF A ROBBERY Review a copy of original offense report to become familiar with the case Consider facts that suggest an M.O., such as: words spoken by the perpetrator choice of weapons type of property taken Examine all physical evidence 12-12(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 questioning Have the victim and witnesses view the mug-shot file of known and active robbers 12-2(b)

Reconduct a neighborhood check 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 witnesses Reconduct a neighborhood check Attempt to tie the robbery to other robberies in the hope that the combined information may lead to suspect(s) Reliable informants should be judiciously contacted 12-12(c)

COMPUSKETCH Computer programs such as Compusketch: Aid investigators Create suspect likenesses Use exiting digital mug-shot databases Are used throughout the world (Courtesy Idaho Bureau of Investigation) 12-13

THE CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN AND THE LABORATORY In many departments, the uniformed officer is responsible for processing the crime scene Other departments are fortunate enough to have the services of a crime scene technician trained in procuring evidence at the crime scene Forensic Photography Analysis Even when robbers wear a mask, the analysis of forensic photographs may yield useful information such as the height of the suspect and defects in clothes 12-14

“THREE STRIKES” LAWS State laws which mandate the lengthy incarceration of repeat offenders or to imprisonment without the possibility of parole 12-15

ROBBERY PREVENTION MEASURES Such measures include but are not limited to: Post signs reporting that you keep less than $50 case on hand Limit exits and entrances Never open the safe when you can be observed Count case and prepare bank deposits out of sight 12-16

ROBBERY ANTICIPATORY MEASURES: WHAT TO DO DURING A ROBBERY Such measures include but are not limited to: Tell the robber you will comply with his/her directions Follow the robber's directions Stay calm Try to observe the robbers direction and method of flight 12-17

ROBBERY REACTIVE STRATEGIES: WHAT TO DO AFTER A ROBBERY Such measures include but are not limited to: Do not attempt to follow the robber Hit the alarm and call 911 Ask witnesses to stay and to not discuss what they saw Protect the crime scene 12-18