Armed Robbery Prevention

It is important for business owners, managers, and employees to be aware of the crime risks inherent in their particular industry. This information should help.

Armed Robbery

One of the greatest fears of both the employer and employee of any business is being the victim of an armed robbery. Needless to say, there is nothing pleasant about having one’s life threatened by a stranger with a weapon. Certainly these situations are to be avoided if at all possible. How can you stop an armed robbery? It is most difficult, dangerous, and inadvisable after it is in progress. The key is to know as much as possible about the armed robber and how he operates and therefore prevent the crime. Here are a few things to help you in that effort.

Who is the Robber?

• An armed robber is usually a male in his late teens or twenties. There are exceptions-little old ladies have robbed banks.
• He is not usually from your neighborhood.
• He has probably watched your business and knows your routines.
• He has probably “graduated” from lesser crimes.
• He may have inside information about your operation from a former (or current) employee.
• He considers himself among the elite of the criminal world.

How does the armed robber operate?

• He looks for a place likely to have significant cash on hand.
• He looks for places with obstructed views. It hides his approach and prevents anyone outside from observing the robbery.
• He looks for places with easy escape routes.
• He tries to get in and out quickly (20 seconds to 1 minute).
• He intimidates the victim by being loud and profane.
• He usually grabs only the bills from the register.
• He leaves by the same route he entered.

Things to look for

• Someone hanging around the area for inappropriate lengths of time.
• Someone who enters the business but doesn’t buy.
• Someone who asks questions about the security system.
• Someone with flimsy answers when questioned. (He wants a drink of water or looking for Joe who doesn’t work there)
• Cars cruising the area repeatedly.
• Parked cars with engines running and/or driver waiting.

Things to do if you are robbed

• Don’t resist unless your life is at stake!
• Try to remain calm.
• Don’t take risks
• Alert the robber to anything that might alarm him (a bell rings when the cash register is opened)
• Note as many things as possible about the robber.
• Keep your movements slow and deliberate.
• Let the robber know what moves you are going to make.
• Don’t reach for the phone.
• Note anything that the robber touches.

After the robber leaves

• Call the Police.
• Stay on the line with the dispatcher until an officer arrives.
• Give a description of the robber to the dispatcher. Note unusual things such as if the robber had on two shirts.
• Give the dispatcher the method and direction of flight. (North on Meeting Street rather than up Meeting Street.)
• Have all victims make written notes. Do not discuss the robbery amongst yourselves until this is done. People remember different points.
• Don’t touch or disturb anything the robber has touched or handled.

A Good Description

When describing a suspect, pay close attention to the following details:

General Description

• Sex and race
• Estimate age, height, and weight
• Build (fat; husky; medium; slim)
• Hair (color; texture; style; length)
• Eyes (color; shape; are the eyelashes and eyebrows heavy or light)
• Complexion (color; pores; pockmarks; acne; bumps)
• Facial Hair (clean-shaven; beard; mustache; goatee)
• Peculiarities (large or small nose; large or small ears; marks, scars, deformities, voice, speech, how they walk or talk, etc.

Clothing Description

• Hat (color; style - e.g., cap, fedora, hood; any printing on the hat)
• Coats (color; style; length; any printing on the coat or jacket)
• Shirt/Blouse (color; design; sleeves; collar; any printing on it)
• Pants: (color; style; length)
• Socks: (color; pattern; length)
• Shoes: (color; style)
• Accessories: (sweater; scarf; gloves; tie)
• Jewelry: (watch; rings; bracelet, earrings)
• General Appearance: (neat; sloppy; clean or dirty)
• Oddities: (clothing too large or too small; patches)

The Getaway Car

When calling the police it is very important to give the operator an accurate description of the suspect along with any vehicle used. Try to note the following information about a suspicious vehicle:

• Make and Model
• Body style
• Color
• Number of Doors
• License Plate Number
• Any damage or anything unusual about the vehicle
• Where the vehicle is located or direction it was headed.

A Little Prevention

• Keep Views unobstructed.
• Limit cash on hand.
• Keep area well lighted.
• Don’t be predictable on bank runs.
• Use FREE police escort on bank runs.
• Do not use the armed robbery alarm to report minor crimes.

Extra Precautionary Measures

Persons making bank deposits should:

• Take a second employee.
• Vary the time and route. Don’t set a pattern.
• Never approach a depository when there is someone there. If you see someone suspicious call police.

The Police Department will escort businesses to the bank free of charge if requested.

Alarm switches should be placed in more than one location, including the cooler.

A hidden phone in the cooler would be helpful as robbers often place employees there.