Robbery Unit

Robbery
The responsibility of the Robbery Unit is to investigate all commercial armed robberies, robbery sprees, and any robbery in which there was serious injury. The mission of the unit is to investigate, identify, apprehend all suspects and to ensure the quality and integrity of the investigation. The Robbery Unit takes a proactive approach to the investigation of robbery cases, utilizing problem solving techniques and models in an effort to prevent the next crime.

Armed Robbery – Also called Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon, (N.C. G. S. 14-87) occurs when one commits or attempts to commit larceny from the person by the possession, use, or threatened use of a firearm, or other dangerous weapon which endangers the life of a person.

Common Law Robbery - (Also Called Strong Arm Robbery) is defined by Common Law and occurs when one commits larceny from the person or from the person's presence by violence, fear, threat or intimidation.

What to do DURING a robbery

  • Try to stay calm. Don't make any sudden movements to upset the robber.
  • Do exactly as you are told. DO NOT RESIST!
  • Activate your alarm ONLY if you can do so secretly.
  • Tell the robber about anything that might surprise him, such as someone who is expected to arrive soon.
  • If you have to move or reach, tell the robber what you are going to do and why.
  • Try to get a good look at the robber so you can describe him later.
  • Don't be a hero. It's better to lose your money than your life.
  • Give the robber time to leave.
  • Note his direction of travel when he leaves.
  • Try to get a description of his vehicle ONLY if you can do so without exposing yourself to harm



What to do AFTER a robbery

  • Call the police immediately, even if you have activated the alarm.
  • Close the store and lock the door(s).
  • Do not discuss the details of the robbery with witnesses or fellow employees.
  • Ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. If they can't, get their names, phone numbers and addresses.
  • Do not touch anything that the robber may have touched. Block off areas where the robber was.
  • Try to recall as much as you can about the robber's appearance, speech and mannerisms. Make notes.
  • Step outside the store when the police arrive so that they'll know the robber is gone and you are safe.
  • Let the police answer inquiries from the news media.
  • Do not discuss the amount of money taken with anyone other than police.


Personal Safety

  • Don't walk or jog alone.
  • When out at night, walk with a friend.
  • Carry only the money you'll need on a particular day.
  • If you carry a purse, carry it close to your body, preferably in front.



Home Safety

  • Do not allow strangers into your home, even if they are hurt or say they need help. Keep the door locked and call the police for them.
  • Do not advertise that you live alone.
  • When you move into a new home, change the locks.
  • Keep your curtains or shades closed at night.
  • Don't leave notes on your door announcing when you will be home.
  • Keep outdoor lights on at night.
  • Keep your doors and windows locked. If it is warm and you leave your door open for circulation, keep the screen door locked.
  • If you arrive home and your door is open or things appear to be out of place - don't go in your home. Leave and call the police
  • Never give information to an unknown caller. Report nuisance calls to the telephone company.
  • Write down license numbers of suspicious vehicles to give to the police.
  • Don't be afraid to call the police to investigate suspicious circumstances, unusual people or strange noises. It is better to be safe than sorry.



Work Environment Safety

  • Keep your doors and windows clear of signs and posters to allow good visibility. Employees can see suspicious people outside, and passers-by and police can see inside.
  • Keep the outside of your business well lit.
  • Make sure your cashier is clearly visible to outside observers.
  • Practice good cash control. Keep a minimum amount in your cash drawer and make regular drops into a safe.
  • Advertise outside that you keep a minimal amount of cash in the register and that you will not accept large bills.
  • Don't keep large bills under the cash drawer. If you don't have a safe, find a less obvious place to hide your extra cash until you go to the bank.
  • Use a safe that the clerk cannot open alone or that requires two keys. Post that fact conspicuously, including on the safe itself.
  • Use quality video surveillance and make it well known.
  • Always have at least two clerks working at night.
  • Greet all customers - this reduces their anonymity and lets potential robbers know you are paying attention.
  • Be alert for 'customers' who seem to be loitering or glancing around the store while appearing to shop or browse through a magazine.
  • Watch for suspicious persons outside the business - especially in parked cars and around telephone booths.
  • Report suspicious people to the police.
  • Two employees should be on hand at opening and closing times.
  • At opening time, one employee should enter the store and check to see if it has been disturbed.
  • Before closing, one employee should check the office, back rooms and rest rooms to make sure no one is hiding inside.
  • Keep side and back doors locked. Have employees use the main entrance.
  • Place markers at the main entrance that employees can use to help gauge the height of a robber as he leaves.
  • Watch for suspicious customers. Robbers often 'shop' until all other customers are gone.
  • Encourage credit card use by the customers. Some offenders may think you won't have so much cash around, and if you are robbed, you will lose less money.



Some Things You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of a Cash Deposit Robbery

  • Make bank deposits on a routine basis utilizing an armored service.
  • If this is not possible, take a second person along.
  • Vary your banking routine. Carry cash in a variety of ways - a lunch sack, attaché case, flight bag, picket, etc. Money bags are pretty obvious.
  • Vary the times and routes you use to go to the bank.
  • Make deposits as often as possible, never less than one a day.
  • If you notice someone following you when you're driving, head for the nearest busy, brightly lit area. Write down a description of the vehicle and call 911.



Carjacking Prevention Tips

Carjacking is a term coined by the media to describe a method of robbery where the victim's car is among the items stolen in the robbery. There is no "Carjacking" offense in the State of North Carolina.
  • Always lock your car doors and take the keys with you when you leave the car.
  • When traveling, carry only the credit /ATM cards you will need. Consider Traveler's checks.
  • Make sure you have your key out and ready as you approach your car door.
  • Try to park in a well lit, well traveled area, in view of other people.
  • Walk assertively and with confidence.
  • Don't weigh yourself down with too many packages.
  • If someone tries to rob you, give up your property. It is not worth your life or serious injury.
  • Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car, or to keep someone from forcing you into their car.
  • If you are robbed or assaulted, report the crime to police.



Detective Directory

Robbery Unit Contact
Sgt. Brian Scharf bscharf@cmpd.org
Investigave Technician N. Pears npears@cmpd.org
Det. J. Andersen jandersen@cmpd.org
Det. L. Wait lwait@cmpd.org
Det. M. Freeman mfreeman@cmpd.org
Det. Z. Haglar zhagler@cmpd.org
Det. M. Bodenstein mbodenstein@cmpd.org
Det. S. Dorian sdorian@cmpd.org
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