BehindBlueI's
Grandmaster
- Oct 3, 2012
- 25,900
- 113
In an effort to assist in maintaining situational awareness, this is a list of things that victims have reported to me as suspect's actions immediately before a random robbery on the street (and occasionally businesses).
Common things said to start interaction:
1) Asking to borrow your phone. This is a common set up for theft, but also for a robbery.
2) Asking for a cigarette and/or a light. Especially if you aren't smoking at the time.
3) Asking about the bus schedule. Especially if you aren't at a bus station (likely actually sitting on the bench, not just walking by).
4) Asking for change.
The common denominator seems to be an attempt to put you at ease as you now "know" why the person has initiated contact with you and at attempt to get you to put your hands in your pockets where its harder for you to defend yourself. The "change" thing seems to be more of a justification mechanism for the suspect. "That butthead wouldn't even give me a bit of change he could easily spare, he deserves to be robbed."
Common actions:
1) Reaching into pocket or "adusting" something in waistband as they approach you.
2) Lowering the head (boxer's stance, forehead pushed forward and jaw back to reduce exposure of face) this is both an instinctive reaction to an impending fight and an attempt to hide their face.
3) Pulling up hood on hoody.
4) Whispering or hand gestures with a second suspect.
The borrowing of a cigarette thing is so prominent, we joke around the office that if anyone approaches you and asks for a cigarette that should be written into law as PC for a citizen's arrest for you to hold the asker at gun point until police arrive to verify he does just really just want a cigarette...
Common locations:
ATMs (seems obvious)
Gas pumps (seems less obvious)
Drug stores (always wonder if they are after the meds, did anyone seem very interested in what prescription you were filling?)
Near entrances/exits to parking garages or parking lots. (Decent amount of foot traffic, but often not too many people at a time).
Feel free to share as you see fit, and I'll do my best to answer any questions or provide any additional details anyone may be interested in.
Common things said to start interaction:
1) Asking to borrow your phone. This is a common set up for theft, but also for a robbery.
2) Asking for a cigarette and/or a light. Especially if you aren't smoking at the time.
3) Asking about the bus schedule. Especially if you aren't at a bus station (likely actually sitting on the bench, not just walking by).
4) Asking for change.
The common denominator seems to be an attempt to put you at ease as you now "know" why the person has initiated contact with you and at attempt to get you to put your hands in your pockets where its harder for you to defend yourself. The "change" thing seems to be more of a justification mechanism for the suspect. "That butthead wouldn't even give me a bit of change he could easily spare, he deserves to be robbed."
Common actions:
1) Reaching into pocket or "adusting" something in waistband as they approach you.
2) Lowering the head (boxer's stance, forehead pushed forward and jaw back to reduce exposure of face) this is both an instinctive reaction to an impending fight and an attempt to hide their face.
3) Pulling up hood on hoody.
4) Whispering or hand gestures with a second suspect.
The borrowing of a cigarette thing is so prominent, we joke around the office that if anyone approaches you and asks for a cigarette that should be written into law as PC for a citizen's arrest for you to hold the asker at gun point until police arrive to verify he does just really just want a cigarette...
Common locations:
ATMs (seems obvious)
Gas pumps (seems less obvious)
Drug stores (always wonder if they are after the meds, did anyone seem very interested in what prescription you were filling?)
Near entrances/exits to parking garages or parking lots. (Decent amount of foot traffic, but often not too many people at a time).
Feel free to share as you see fit, and I'll do my best to answer any questions or provide any additional details anyone may be interested in.
