1. TWELVE
Robbery

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. 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)

15. 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)

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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)

21. 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)

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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