Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Robbery Chapter 10

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Overview Current State of Robbery Current State of Robbery Offender Characteristics Offender Characteristics Robbery Types Robbery Types Investigative Procedures Investigative Procedures Strategies to Combat Robbery Strategies to Combat Robbery Review Questions Review Questions Opportunity for Student Questions Opportunity for Student Questions

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Learning Objectives Understand the legal meaning of the term robbery Understand the legal meaning of the term robbery Explain robbery in regard to frequency, time, and place of occurrence Explain robbery in regard to frequency, time, and place of occurrence Define the four major categories of robbery Define the four major categories of robbery Identify the suspect methods of operation Identify the suspect methods of operation List robbery offender characteristics List robbery offender characteristics Understand the three major investigative procedures that are followed in the robbery inquiry Understand the three major investigative procedures that are followed in the robbery inquiry Define the two major strategies for the reduction of robbery Define the two major strategies for the reduction of robbery Understand areas of forensic science that directly apply to the robbery investigation Understand areas of forensic science that directly apply to the robbery investigation

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Legal Definition of Robbery Any person who with the intent to steal takes the property of another from his or her person or the immediate presence of the person by the use of force or by the threat of force Any person who with the intent to steal takes the property of another from his or her person or the immediate presence of the person by the use of force or by the threat of force Most states have provisions for robberies committed with a dangerous weapon Most states have provisions for robberies committed with a dangerous weapon –It becomes armed robbery –The crime becomes a more serious felony

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Current Robbery Trends The crime of robbery is declining The crime of robbery is declining The national robbery rate is 142 incidents per 100,000 people The national robbery rate is 142 incidents per 100,000 people This is a 33% decrease since 1994 This is a 33% decrease since 1994 This crime is under-reported to the police This crime is under-reported to the police In rural areas, there are only 16 victimizations per 100,000 people, compared to 440 in large cities In rural areas, there are only 16 victimizations per 100,000 people, compared to 440 in large cities Robbery accounts for 30% of all violent crime Robbery accounts for 30% of all violent crime There is a robbery every 60 seconds in the U.S. There is a robbery every 60 seconds in the U.S. 50% of robberies are committed on the street 50% of robberies are committed on the street Many victims suffer physical injuries during the attack Many victims suffer physical injuries during the attack The average loss is $1244 The average loss is $1244

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Offender Characteristics The average robbery suspect is a black male (54%) The average robbery suspect is a black male (54%) 18 years old (or older) 18 years old (or older) 63% are under 25 years old 63% are under 25 years old Juveniles account for 24% of offenders Juveniles account for 24% of offenders 44% are white 44% are white 90% of those arrested are male 90% of those arrested are male

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Three Basic Categories of Robbery Offenders The professional intensive offender The professional intensive offender The amateur intermittent offender The amateur intermittent offender The specific-objective offender The specific-objective offender

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Professional Intensive Offender These offenders considers crime and robbery their life’s work These offenders considers crime and robbery their life’s work They commit numerous offenses (85 per year) They commit numerous offenses (85 per year) They consider themselves to be the most daring and “macho” They consider themselves to be the most daring and “macho” Enjoy a relatively high status within the criminal subculture Enjoy a relatively high status within the criminal subculture

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Amateur Intermittent Offender Tends to attack victims with known profit potentials Tends to attack victims with known profit potentials Selects victims randomly Selects victims randomly Attacks vulnerable victims like women and elderly Attacks vulnerable victims like women and elderly

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Specific-Objective Offender The least numerous of all three types The least numerous of all three types Commits robbery for more than just the money Commits robbery for more than just the money Robs to support a drug or gambling habit or for psychological gratification Robs to support a drug or gambling habit or for psychological gratification

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Robbery Offenders are Predatory This offender has a preference for crime involving: This offender has a preference for crime involving: –Direct confrontation –The stalking of victims There is a violent nature in this type of offender There is a violent nature in this type of offender –Guns are discharged 20% of the time –11% of all murders are linked with robbery –Robbery suspects are more likely than any other violent offender (other than homicide) to use a weapon

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Robbery Types Street Robbery Street Robbery Residential Robbery (AKA Home Invasion Robbery) Residential Robbery (AKA Home Invasion Robbery) Vehicle-Related Robbery (AKA Car-Jacking) Vehicle-Related Robbery (AKA Car-Jacking) Commercial Robberies Commercial Robberies

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Street Robbery Occurs on public streets, thoroughfares or other outdoor localities Occurs on public streets, thoroughfares or other outdoor localities Accounts for 43% of all robberies Accounts for 43% of all robberies The typical street robbery involves a young suspect and a vulnerable victim The typical street robbery involves a young suspect and a vulnerable victim Purse snatches are classified as robberies (when force is used) Purse snatches are classified as robberies (when force is used) Street muggings often involve more than one offender and victims are overwhelmed by their presence or force Street muggings often involve more than one offender and victims are overwhelmed by their presence or force Targets of the attack include the victim’s: Targets of the attack include the victim’s: –Wallet –Purse –Watch –Jewelry Strong arm robberies often result in injuries Strong arm robberies often result in injuries ATMs are becoming dangerous places due to robberies ATMs are becoming dangerous places due to robberies

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Residential Robbery The offender enters the home forcefully or The offender enters the home forcefully or The offender enters by deceit by posing as: The offender enters by deceit by posing as: –Repairmen –City inspectors –Police officers This is commonly known as a home invasion robbery This is commonly known as a home invasion robbery Many times there exists a victim/suspect relationship or previous knowledge of: Many times there exists a victim/suspect relationship or previous knowledge of: –Valuables or collectables –Large amounts of cash –Drugs kept in the home (illegal or legal)

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Vehicle-Related Robbery Business vehicle robberies are targeted Business vehicle robberies are targeted –Delivery vehicles –Cab drivers Truck hijacking (carrying valuable cargo, worth tens of thousands of dollars can be easily converted into cash) Truck hijacking (carrying valuable cargo, worth tens of thousands of dollars can be easily converted into cash) Cargo robbery (stealing only the cargo, usually at a delivery point) Cargo robbery (stealing only the cargo, usually at a delivery point) Carjacking Carjacking –50,000 annually (52% successful) –Can be deadly

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Investigative Procedures There are many problems inherent with robbery investigations There are many problems inherent with robbery investigations –Perceptive abilities of victims and witnesses are diminished due to the violent nature of the incident –Descriptions can not be relied on to identify the suspect in all cases It is important to establish the suspect’s MO It is important to establish the suspect’s MO

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Marking Firearm Evidence

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Robbery MO Elements Selection procedure Selection procedure Entry or approach method Entry or approach method Initial actions prior to the display of force Initial actions prior to the display of force Display of force Display of force Method of acquiring the object of the robbery Method of acquiring the object of the robbery The object or objects of attack The object or objects of attack Actions prior to escape Actions prior to escape Escape method Escape method

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Robbery Crime Scene Look for evidence Look for evidence –Fingerprints (did he touch anything prior, during, or after?) –Hairs and fibers –Blood or other bodily fluids if indicated –Soil and footprints Much of the evidence is going to be testimonial–from the victim Much of the evidence is going to be testimonial–from the victim –What was said –When did it happen –Description of the offender, the offender’s vehicle, cohorts, etc. –What was taken –What force was used (description of the weapon if any) Other evidence can include: Other evidence can include: –The wallet or purse (discarded near the scene?) –The credit card usage (determined later) –Checks that are later forged and used to purchase merchandise A crime broadcast immediately after the incident may be indicated A crime broadcast immediately after the incident may be indicated –If located, the suspect may still have corroborating evidence in his/her possession

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Continuing Investigation Check with other agencies for similar cases Check with other agencies for similar cases Follow-up on leads Follow-up on leads –Vehicle used (even if stolen) –Stolen items might be located at pawn shops or at fences –Informants should be questioned

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Strategies to Combat Robbery: Prevention Programs Letters from the police department to businesses containing alerts and tips Letters from the police department to businesses containing alerts and tips Ordinance requiring 2 or more clerks on duty at night in convenience stores Ordinance requiring 2 or more clerks on duty at night in convenience stores Increase lights in parking lots Increase lights in parking lots Visible cameras Visible cameras Undercover officers posing as clerks Undercover officers posing as clerks Gun-suppression strategies Gun-suppression strategies

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Strategies to Combat Robbery: Apprehension Programs These are designed to reduce the frequency of robbery through the arrest of offenders These are designed to reduce the frequency of robbery through the arrest of offenders –The random stakeout –Deployment of tactical alarms –Hidden, high quality cameras at high risk stores –Explosive money packs containing dye and tear gas

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Strategies to Combat Robbery: Apprehension Programs (continued) Suspect concentration programs Suspect concentration programs –Each investigative robbery team is assigned 10 suspects each month –The police become very familiar with each suspect –The assigned suspects are made aware that they are under police surveillance

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Review Questions 1. What is the legal definition of robbery? 2. Identify three robbery trends. 3. List two characteristics of robbery offenders. 4. What are the three basic categories of offenders? 5. How many offenses does the professional intensive offender commit per year? 6. Explain what is meant when robbery offenders are termed predatory. 7. Identify a major issue or problem with witnesses and victims when investigating robbery complaints. 8. What physical evidence might be found at a commercial robbery scene? 9. Identify two strategies to combat robberies.

Criminal Investigation, 7 th Edition By James N. Gilbert PRENTICE HALL ©2007 Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Student Questions