Prepareness in case of an event

What you should expect when Deputies arrive to your site after reporting a property Crime

They should be doing the following – Lets help them out by pointing out what you have found without disturbing the evidence and have the needed information on hand. It will go a lot smoother and more chance of recovering your product.

Black – is what officer will do   Red – is what you should do and or provide

• Document the crime scene as he or she found it (Know whats missing )
• Identify witnesses and obtain statements (This includes statement from you and other employees)
• Broadcast a detailed suspect description and update if more information becomes available
• Note points of entry, exit, and flight (Was that barb wire always smashed down or was that where they entered)
• Note force used to enter a property or vehicle (secure all tools around building and lot)
• Note the location of broken glass
• Check glass for blood (DNA) or fingerprints (keep windows clean so the only fingerprints are of the suspect) – (We have both DNA and fingerprint cases)
• Check points of entry for tool marks and look for tools used
• Look for gas cans or other accelerants in the case of arson (Secure gas and chemicals)
• Check the location for other possible points of contact by the suspect — suspects have been known to eat, drink, and use the bathroom (left behind tools, ladders, wrappers)
• Determine what was stolen or damaged (Know your Inventory)
• Ask themselves “Who would benefit from committing this crime?” — was this simply a crime of opportunity or was the victim targeted? (Is there an outlet for resell)  
• Be diligent at the crime scene and consider all possible evidentiary avenues
• Recognize they usually only get one shot at processing a scene before it is tainted (you may want to take pictures as well)

Obtain a Very Detailed List of Stolen or Destroyed Property

• A detailed description of the stolen/destroyed property or vehicle is key to bolstering the possibility of property or damage recovery (maintain serial number log)
• Prioritize serialized property or property with unique markings or descriptors
• Place all stolen serialized property into NCIC (Make sure we can provide model, color and serial number)
• Be particularly detailed when describing non-serialized property — include defects and unique identifiers if any are known (Was it SSC Brand or have stickers)
• Try and obtain photos of stolen property or vehicles (use Statesnet to get pictures of product)
• Share all the information at roll call for at least three days (this way, officers who have been off for a couple of days can learn of the crime, and it will remain fresh in the mind of working officers so they remain on the lookout or you find another officer may have responded to a similar call for service) (Share info with officers - could have had similar incident at store in another county)

Consider Other Investigative Avenues to Identify the Suspect

• MO or method of operation— was this crime similar to any others within geographical proximity (theft trends- share at meetings – Newspapers)
• Check other reports and field interviews for suspicious subjects/vehicles, disturbances, neighbor complaints, etc… (Know your business neighbors)

Loss Prevention will assist with the following
• Check local pawn shops and computerized pawn shop databases if accessible for stolen property or possible suspect info
• Conduct a neighborhood canvass for possible witnesses or unreported incidents
• Check with known reliable informants
• Check impound lots and vehicle “chop shops”
• Check the location for surveillance video equipment
• Share all gathered information with specialized investigative units for follow-up