Modus Operandi Page 15

  He will have to know what other security arrangements are on the premises, such as armed or unarmed security personnel, and the location and the efficiency of the local police department. Are there additional armed or unarmed security block watchers? The professional will also, through his insiders, determine how many customers are likely to be in the store at different times. He will also formulate a plan to fence the stolen merchandise into money.

  Through his research, the professional determines that Friday morning will be the best time to commit his robbery. Very few, if any, customers will be in the store. The display cases will be stocked in anticipation of upcoming payday and weekend sales. He has determined how to deal with all security devices and the best time to hit the premises to avoid the police.

  The professional has decided to have one partner to commit the robbery. To gain entry, he will have to be let in through the front door designed to control access to the store. He and his assistant will be well dressed so entry is no problem.

  The Checklist

  What separates the amateur from the professional is not only training but preparation. Most nonprofessional robbers commit crimes of opportunity. The professional studies the crime and arranges a checklist of equipment needed, weapons that will be carried, and a schedule for the robbery. The checklist will encompass the entire operation, and is used to assure that all participants know their assignments.

  Armed robberies require equipment, including small caliber weapons or handguns, which are easy to conceal. Other equipment may include masks; gloves, either vinyl or leather; and collapsible bags for carrying the merchandise. Plastic heavy-duty trash bags are ideal because they are strong enough to carry the proceeds yet can be concealed easily.

  One factor that is often overlooked is the climate and weather conditions. A group of men walking down the street with jackets and gloves in the middle of summer is quite obvious.

  Getting in and Getting Out

  The entry may be made by our robbers all at once or one at a time. If they enter one at a time, the first person in will be the advance scout, who will survey the activity inside. This initial survey verifies that there need be no changes to the original plan and that no additional security has been added. If the scout feels that the time is not right, he will alert the other team members with a prearranged gesture.

  Once inside, they may or may not cover their faces with masks, but will almost always use gloves to evade identification through fingerprints left at the scene.

  Employees and any customers are rounded up and contained. The robbers pull out heavy-duty plastic trash bags and assault the display cases. Prior scouting showed where the expensive jewelry is kept, and this is collected first. If there is time, they will make an attempt to enter and loot the safe. Upon completion of the robbery, our robbers will exit the same door they entered, and flee the area.

  Transportation to and from the premises is important. Stolen vehicles may be used and dropped off at locations where the stolen items and team members will be transferred. It is not uncommon to have team members separate to avoid detection. The loot will be held by one person, if possible. In their flight, they will change vehicles frequently, along with directions of travel. They may even hand off the loot to make the chance of apprehension less likely. A meeting will be arranged where the loot will be sorted out and divided. In other cases, one person may be responsible for fencing the goods and dividing the monies received.

  Bank Robberies

  A professional bank robber can be a single person or a gang. The gang usually controls the crowd inside the bank while one member cleans out the teller stations. This is especially important in large banks where the customer traffic is substantial. Bank robbers know that the easy money is in the teller stations, all the action will take place in this area. Bank robbers rarely enter vaults because of the time that it takes.

  The lone robber is more likely to go to just one teller. In a small branch he may attempt more than one teller by starting at the middle teller or one close to a wall, so that he can be sure no one sends a silent alarm. He can also watch for other customers or security personnel entering the bank.

  Lone robbers sometimes reveal their weapons; others just make threats, verbally or by writing demands on the back of a deposit slip. The robber will walk up to a teller and request the money be placed in a bag that he supplies. After receiving his money, he will promptly leave and follow steps to escape in a manner similar to the one used by our jewel thief.

  The professional, through surveillance, will examine exit routes, parking for his escape vehicle, video surveillance locations, and the location of the bank's teller stations. Once inside, he will make use of this surveillance by acting familiar with the surroundings. For example, he won't be startled when greeted at the door.

  When robbing a bank, it is important to carry the proper equipment. In most single-person robberies, a weapon will not be shown, but the robber will threaten its use. The bag used to carry the money can be a plastic shopping bag, a gym bag or even coat pockets.

  When several people are robbing a bank, weapons will be shown immediately to control the customers in case one is an off-duty police officer or other professional. If one of the customers plans to stop the robbery, he will know immediately that customers along with employees may be injured in the crossfire.

  Once inside, the customers will be collected or asked to lie on the floor. Certain members of the group will either stand at the door, collect the money from the tellers, or watch over customers and employees. They will exit and leave much like the criminals we described in the jewelry store heist.

  Remember back a few years ago, when banks installed bulletproof glass to separate the teller from the customer? In some banks it would reach the ceiling to prevent a would-be robber from attempting to leap over the glass into the teller areas while robbing the bank. Walk into a bank today and see if this security method is still used. In most cases, they have been removed, because desperate armed robbers would demand money from the tellers by threatening to kill customers. This security measure, even though it may have been a good idea, did not work for the banking industry.

  Armored Car Robberies

  Although strip-mall banking and check cashing stores are convenient, they are also more vulnerable, and a secure method of transporting monies to and from them is critical. The trend toward establishing these banks greatly increased the use of armored cars and the amounts of money they carry.

  Professional and amateur robbers both know that more money will be obtained from the robbery of an armored car than a bank. An armored car could carry several million dollars while making its rounds, which is obviously enticing to a bank robber who is very lucky if he makes ten to fifteen thousand dollars by cleaning out the teller stations.

  Because armored car robberies are more risky and much harder to carry out, since the guards are well-trained and well-armed, armored car robberies are usually more violent. The same pre-planning takes place and will include some type of insider information about the arrival of the vehicle and the first and last stops it makes. The first and last stops are important because, if the armored vehicle is delivering money, it will contain more at the beginning of the route. If the armored vehicle is making cash pickups, then the more pickups, the more money it will contain at the end of the route. Robbers want to attack when the armored car will have the most money.

  The armored car usually contains three armed personnel — the driver, a passenger up front, and one person in the back of the truck. Their weaponry will vary with the cargo and the location of their clients. All guards carry some type of handgun and will be in uniform. Military-style shotguns or rifles may or may not be carried.

  The procedures of the guards are usually consistent. The driver may or may not exit the vehicle depending on the amount of the transfer. If it is a substantial amount, the driver will stand between the rear of the armored car and the establishment. The passenger will transport the
money, and the person sitting in the bed of the truck will remain inside and only open the door at the time of transfer. This arrangement insures that the only loss is the amount removed for transfer and not the complete contents of the truck. Robbers know that an armored car is most vulnerable during the transfer of money, so this is when they strike. Their weapons will be out and at the ready, so there is usually an exchange of gunfire. Innocent civilians are highly likely to become victims of the gunfire.

  While stealing money during transfer will net an armored car robber more than a bank robber, the most money will be obtained by stopping the vehicle before deliveries or after pickups. One way to stop the truck is by stopping a van or moving truck suddenly in front of the armored vehicle. The sliding rear door opens and a number of armed personnel exit. The criminals shoot at the driver's and passenger's front windows, which softens the bulletproof glass, so that bullets can be fired through it to kill the driver and passenger. Then, the rest of the gang informs the guard in the back of the truck that they will blow up the vehicle if the doors are not opened.

  Armored car robbers have a backup team of additional personnel standing by with another vehicle, just in case they are needed to stop the police. These thieves will flee in the same manner as other armed robbers.

  The Amateur

  The amateur robber may come from any walk of life and may have many motivations. He may be a hard-working individual who, in circumstances beyond his control, decides he needs quick cash. He could also be a person with a substance addiction that has grown beyond his financial means. He may be a teenager or gangbanger looking for excitement, power and easy money.

  Amateur robbers will commit their crimes during seasons when it is customary to have large amounts of money in the house, such as Christmas or during summer vacation. They find targets by observing victims who wear expensive jewelry or clothing. They might even follow an expensive vehicle back to a residence, and then as the owners are getting out, force the victims at gun point into their home and rob them. These robbers carry materials, such as handcuffs, rope and duct tape, which will be used to secure the victims. But, we have worked only a lew armed robberies in which the victims were bound.

  The Down-on-His-Luck'er

  Let's first discuss how a first-time, middle-class, down-on-his-luck armed robber goes about committing a crime. He goes to a neighborhood where no one knows him and looks for a convenience store, gas station, small bank or department store. There will be little or no planning, and a short time before the robbery, he will try to motivate himself to commit the crime. He enters the location, and if he has a gun, he will show it. If not, he will threaten that he has one, and demand the money.

  He will be noticeably nervous, which may include voice and body trembling and profuse sweating. The attendant being robbed will notice strong, foul-smelling body odor and bad breath due to additional perspiration and a dry mouth brought on by fear and/or excitement. Sometimes, alcohol or a narcotic may be used for a calming effect or to obtain the nerve to commit the crime.

  If the employee refuses to turn over any money, which he should not do, the amateur will usually flee without the money. If he gets his money, he leaves and in most cases returns home. For his getaway, he will park a few blocks away in his own vehicle and walk to and from the robbery. If he used a weapon, he will usually make no attempt to rid himself of it.

  The Juvenile

  When a teenager or young adult robs a location, it will most likely be in or near his neighborhood. This is because young adults rarely have their own transportation. He will usually be assisted by his friends, and there may be some pre-planning prior to the robbery. However, the pre-planning is sketchy at best and basically includes only the location and who will approach the employee. They may scout just prior to the robbery to determine the number of people in the store. Juveniles almost always arm themselves with a cheap small caliber handgun.

  Juvenile robbers are often quite violent and their crimes usually end with serious injury or death to either the victim or the robber. The robber may be killed if the owner has a weapon available. If a customer walks into the store during the robbery, or if shooting breaks out during the robbery, the customer will become involved. This type of robbery is very fast, and the loot is usually just the money in the cash register. Getaway is on foot or in a stolen vehicle parked and left running just outside the door.

  The Desperate Drug Addict

  The substance abuser, because of his need for quick money, will usually perform a robbery of opportunity when the circumstances are right. These circumstances may include an elderly person walking alone, a person walking in a secluded area, or a intoxicated victim. He will brandish or threaten to have a knife or a gun and demand the money. He leaves the scene on foot.

  Gang-Bangers

  Gang members, mostly of Asian gangs, place a prominent businessman under surveillance and follow him home or to his place of business. When the businessman is alone, they approach him and become violent and abusive towards him. They tie him up and demand money. Asians have a custom of keeping money in their homes and places of business during certain holidays for luck. These are ideal times for the armed robbers to strike. If this robbery takes place in the victim's home, they will threaten any other family members present with bodily harm if they refuse to comply with their demands. Some Asian businessmen do not use banks the way they should, and large amounts of cash will be available for thieves.

  Other armed robberies by young aggressive street gangs often become violent. The street people will demand money at gunpoint or threaten to cut you with their knife. There have even been cases where a person was threatened with an IV syringe filled with HIV-positive blood. The victim is followed until he reaches a secluded location where the robbery can take place undetected. Common choices include exit and entry stairways to subways, subway platforms in the late night or early morning hours, deserted streets, or vehicles waiting for a light to change.

  Automatic Teller Robberies

  Since automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, they are a ready source of quick cash for armed robbers. Most bank machines have a daily withdrawal limit, so the stolen amounts are relatively small, $500 or less.

  The armed robber will stake out an isolated ATM machine in the late evening or early morning hours. When the victim arrives, he is evaluated for his vulnerabilities. By this we mean is the victim alone, big in stature, or one who looks like he may put up a struggle? Is there traffic on the sidewalks and streets?

  Some ATMs are enclosed with a self-locking door. The robber will wait until the victim starts his transaction, and by either pre-rigging the door, defeating the locking mechanism, or having a magnetic card himself, gain entry into the ATM area.

  The victim will then be forced at gunpoint or knife point to withdraw the entire transaction limit, which will be stolen by our thief. The thief will then exit on foot from the scene. There have also been reported cases where the victim was kidnapped and held for a period of time so that a daily routine of stealing can be achieved.

  Taxis

  Taxi drivers are one of the primary, if not the main, victims of armed robbery. They have ready cash from fares, and neither taxi nor driver is equipped with any form of personal protection.

  Some taxis have limited protection from semi-bullet-proof glass between the driver's and passenger's compartment, but this is easily defeated. Most drivers will not use the air conditioner to save money on fuel, so they leave the driver's side window open. When the robber gets out, he walks over to the driver and places either a knife or a gun against the victim and demands the money.

  Another method is to be picked up in a good section of the city and be taken as a fare to a secluded area where the taxi driver is then held up for his money. The robber will leave the vehicle on foot and flee the scene. The more violent robbers shoot and kill the taxi driver.

  The method of armed robbery is amateurish and
the choice of weapons of amateur robbers is slight, but the brutality and violence is great. The weapons of choice are those that are available. Saturday Night Specials or large razors and knives are often used.

  Check Cashing Outlets

  Check cashing outlets are found in low-income areas where people, for a variety of reasons, are unable to cash their checks at an ordinary bank. The amount of money in these places varies, but in certain periods, such as the beginning of the month when people receive their public assistance or Social Security check, a lot of cash is necessary to meet the demands. Patrons using these services pay a fee, usually a percentage of the value of the check or money order being cashed.

  Check cashing outlets are generally well secured with strong bullet stops and pry-resistant glass partitions and walls. To gain entry into the teller station or vault, a series of steps must be taken. These security procedures are much like those taken by an astronaut returning from space. The criminal must go through a series of air locks, but, unlike those used by an astronaut, these security locks are designed to keep unauthorized persons from entering. They must pass through one door, which will be secured behind them, and after that door is secured, a visual check through a surveillance camera is made. Only authorized personnel will be let through the inside door.

  These businesses are extremely difficult, but most profitable, to hold up. Because of the difficulties, successful robberies are aided by employee incompetency or inside assistance. The inside assistant will be to in some way defeat security devices, perhaps by leaving doors unlocked. The incompetency might be when an employee is hungry for his lunch, fails to follow security procedures, and instead of going from one secured location to another, he just leaves all doors open.