Transcript Document

Robbery
Chapter 10
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Overview
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Current State of Robbery
Offender Characteristics
Robbery Types
Investigative Procedures
Strategies to Combat Robbery
Review Questions
Opportunity for Student Questions
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Learning Objectives
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Understand the legal meaning of the term robbery
Explain robbery in regard to frequency, time, and
place of occurrence
Define the four major categories of robbery
Identify the suspect methods of operation
List robbery offender characteristics
Understand the three major investigative procedures
that are followed in the robbery inquiry
Define the two major strategies for the reduction of
robbery
Understand areas of forensic science that directly
apply to the robbery investigation
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
The Legal Definition of
Robbery
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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
– It becomes armed robbery
– The crime becomes a more serious felony
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Current Robbery Trends
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The crime of robbery is declining
The national robbery rate is 142 incidents per 100,000
people
This is a 33% decrease since 1994
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
Robbery accounts for 30% of all violent crime
There is a robbery every 60 seconds in the U.S.
50% of robberies are committed on the street
Many victims suffer physical injuries during the attack
The average loss is $1244
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Offender Characteristics
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The average robbery suspect is a black
male (54%)
18 years old (or older)
63% are under 25 years old
Juveniles account for 24% of offenders
44% are white
90% of those arrested are male
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Three Basic Categories of
Robbery Offenders
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The professional intensive offender
The amateur intermittent offender
The specific-objective offender
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
The Professional Intensive
Offender
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These offenders considers crime and robbery
their life’s work
They commit numerous offenses (85 per year)
They consider themselves to be the most
daring and “macho”
Enjoy a relatively high status within the criminal
subculture
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
The Amateur Intermittent
Offender
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Tends to attack victims with known profit
potentials
Selects victims randomly
Attacks vulnerable victims like women
and elderly
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
The Specific-Objective
Offender
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The least numerous of all three types
Commits robbery for more than just the
money
Robs to support a drug or gambling
habit or for psychological gratification
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Robbery Offenders are
Predatory
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This offender has a preference for crime
involving:
– Direct confrontation
– The stalking of victims
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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, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Robbery Types
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Street Robbery
Residential Robbery (AKA Home Invasion
Robbery)
Vehicle-Related Robbery (AKA Car-Jacking)
Commercial Robberies
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Street Robbery
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Occurs on public streets, thoroughfares or other outdoor localities
Accounts for 43% of all robberies
The typical street robbery involves a young suspect and a vulnerable
victim
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
Targets of the attack include the victim’s:
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Wallet
Purse
Watch
Jewelry
Strong arm robberies often result in injuries
ATMs are becoming dangerous places due to robberies
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Residential Robbery
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The offender enters the home forcefully or
The offender enters by deceit by posing as:
– Repairmen
– City inspectors
– Police officers
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This is commonly known as a home invasion
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Many times there exists a victim/suspect
relationship or previous knowledge of:
robbery
– Valuables or collectables
– Large amounts of cash
– Drugs kept in the home (illegal or legal)
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Vehicle-Related Robbery
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Business vehicle robberies are targeted
– Delivery vehicles
– Cab drivers
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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)
Carjacking
– 50,000 annually (52% successful)
– Can be deadly
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Investigative Procedures
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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
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It is important to establish the suspect’s MO
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Marking Firearm Evidence
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Robbery MO Elements
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Selection procedure
Entry or approach method
Initial actions prior to the display of force
Display of force
Method of acquiring the object of the
robbery
The object or objects of attack
Actions prior to escape
Escape method
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
The Robbery Crime Scene
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Look for evidence
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Fingerprints (did he touch anything prior, during, or after?)
Hairs and fibers
Blood or other bodily fluids if indicated
Soil and footprints
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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)
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The wallet or purse (discarded near the scene?)
The credit card usage (determined later)
Checks that are later forged and used to purchase merchandise
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If located, the suspect may still have corroborating evidence in his/her possession
Much of the evidence is going to be testimonial–from the victim
Other evidence can include:
A crime broadcast immediately after the incident may be indicated
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Continuing Investigation
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Check with other agencies for similar
cases
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, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Strategies to Combat Robbery:
Prevention Programs
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Letters from the police department to
businesses containing alerts and tips
Ordinance requiring 2 or more clerks on
duty at night in convenience stores
Increase lights in parking lots
Visible cameras
Undercover officers posing as clerks
Gun-suppression strategies
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Strategies to Combat Robbery:
Apprehension Programs
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These are designed to reduce the frequency of
robbery through the arrest of offenders
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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, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Strategies to Combat Robbery:
Apprehension Programs
(continued)
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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, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Review Questions
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What is the legal definition of robbery?
Identify three robbery trends.
List two characteristics of robbery offenders.
What are the three basic categories of offenders?
How many offenses does the professional intensive offender
commit per year?
Explain what is meant when robbery offenders are termed
predatory.
Identify a major issue or problem with witnesses and victims
when investigating robbery complaints.
What physical evidence might be found at a commercial
robbery scene?
Identify two strategies to combat robberies.
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
Student Questions
Criminal Investigation, 7th Edition
By James N. Gilbert
PRENTICE HALL
©2007 Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458