Property Crime Flashcards
Basic facts about property crime
- Very common crime
- Most professional criminals are property offenders
- No witnesses to most burglaries. There is typically a long delay between the crime and its discovery.
- The age range for burglary is usually 16-24 years old. Mostly men. Women accomplices. Most burglars walk to their target.
Major definitions in property crime
- Robbery
- Burglary
- Larceny
- Motor vehicle theft
- Fraud
Robbery definition
The use or threat of force to obtain money or property. If there is no force or threat it cannot be robbery. Classified by the FBI as a violent crime – the use of forced entry is not necessary to classify an offence as a burglary.
Burglary definition
The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a theft or any other felony. Burglary is a crime of stealth
Larceny definition
Taking and carrying away the property of another.
Fraud definition
Obtaining money or property under false pretences.
About 2 million burglaries per year (stats)
- FBI statistics o 65% residential o 35% commercial - Victimization data o 80% residential o 20% commercial
What kind of households would have the highest rate/are prone to burglary?
- Single inhabitant
- Dual earner households
Clearance rate for residential burglary
police know about 10-15% of burglaries
- clearance rate is VERY low. Majority are never solved or arrests never made
Burglary step-by-step
- Choose a target
- Check if anyone is home
- Enter the place
- Select the things you steal
Choose a target (Burglary step-by-step)
- Corner homes – multiple of avenues of escape.
- Tips for house owners:
a. Don’t cover up your house with shrubs.
b. Don’t use burglar bars on windows
Tools for entering the home (Burglary step-by-step)
a. Vise grip – door knobs
b. Screw driver – opening windows
c. Tape – braking windows
d. Loid – peace of plastic used to swipe pomiedzy framuga a drzwiami.
Select the things you steal (Burglary step-by-step)
Focus on finding cash:
i. Master bedroom
ii. Pockets of clothing
iii. Bedside drawer
“Cold Crime” (burglary)
People do not find out their house has been burglarized until hours after it happened when they get home
How burglars break into houses (T. Reppeto)
40% direct impact (NO tools)
20% pried door open
15% vice grips
10% door was unlocked
Principle of what Burglars take from homes
Developed by Larry Cohen
Principle = Value per pound
(jewlery, medicine/drugs, cash, stamps, china)
Best way to stop burglary
♠ 7/10 would not enter if home appeared occupied - lights, sound ♠ 36% alarm ♠ 22% visibility ♠ 22% dog at home
Shoplifting
♠ Category of larceny
♠ costs businesses $30-40 billion/year
♠ Some businesses loose up to half profit margin
♠ Mostly women
♠ The moment you start hiding things in a store, you are committing a crime.
♠ They don’t stop you from shoplifting until you leave the store so that you can’t claim that you were heading to the cashiers desk.
Boosters - who?
Professional shoplifters that resell merchandise
5 Booster Techniques/Devices
♠ Booster Box: wrapped, sealed box with false bottom or trap door
♠ Booster Skirt: custom skirt or dress with pouch sewed into pockets or crotch
♠ Neck Chain: concealed over coat
♠ Bad bag: Aluminum lined bag - throws off sensors
♠ Crotch worker: carries clothing between legs
Troupe of Heels
Shoplifters go into store separately than distract employees by seizure, fainting, argument so partners can steal
