Automobile Breakins With Special Consideration of Secondary Euro-check Offenses - Approaches to Investigation and Prevention (From Prevention Offenses, Volume 2 - Theft of and From Motor Vehicles, P 155-192, 1977 - See NCJ-78972)

• NCJ Number: 78976
• Author(s): B Franke
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 38 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: German
• Country: West Germany (Former)

Annotation

Operations of West German gangs stealing Eurochecks from cars are described to characterize types of offenders and methods of operations.

Abstract

When Eurochecks were introduced in the early 1970's a new form of theft from automobiles developed. Thieves began to concentrate on Eurocheck and check cashing card thefts, passing the checks on individuals who used them after forging the signature of the check holders. In such cases, however, it has proved extremely difficult to gather conclusive evidence against offenders and to deal effectively with the courtroom tricks of suspects' defense lawyers. The thieves can be classified according to the division of labor within the check theft gang. Gangs usually consist of the break-in specialist, a look-out, the check writer, and the check cashing specialist. The dangerousness of offenders depends on their experience and intelligence. Gangs usually operate by breaking into a number of cars parked in one area, e.g., the parking area where people leave their cars while taking a stroll in the woods. Special units designed to combat Eurocheck thefts must coordinate their investigative efforts so that thefts are related to forgery and check fraud charges. Information must be kept on the time and place of the theft, cashing dates of checks, and especially handwriting records on offenders. Careful analysis of events facilitates recognition of theft and check cashing patterns. Efforts must be made to make contact with informants. As a rule, confessions can be obtained fairly easily from individuals cashing checks, as they are usually women inexperienced in criminal activities. If auto break-ins are reported immediately, surveillance of high-risk areas can enable police to capture offenders responsible for whole series of break-ins. Computer information storage and retrieval is especially useful in apprehending known or suspected offenders. Valuable preventive measures include placing fliers with warning notices on automobile windshields in high-risk areas, posting warning signs, encouraging media publicity, improving card identification to prevent misuse of check cashing cards, and changing cars to make them more difficult to break into. In the future, Eurocheck thefts are expected to increase unless check holders are convinced to take precautions against check thefts from cars and elsewhere.