NCJ Number
57318
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
BEGINNING WITH THE PREMISE THAT 'CAT' OR 'HOT' BURGLARS OR PROWLERS HAVE IDENTIFIABLE CHARACTERISTICS, THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM INSTRUCTS OFFICERS IN THE APPREHENSION OF SUCH CRIMINALS.
Abstract
CAT BURGLARS AND PROWLERS, ALTHOUGH THEY CAN RUN THE GAMUT REGARDING DRESS AND MANNER, DO TEND TO OPERATE IN SIMILAR FASHION. USING THE CASE OF A PARTICULAR BURGLAR, THIS FILM SHOWS HOW CAT BURGLARS STRIKE AGAIN AND AGAIN IN THE SAME OR NEIGHBORING RESIDENTIAL AREAS, EXPLOIT THE WEAKNESSES IN HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS, AND DEPEND UPON THE DISTRACTIONS AND HIDING PLACES IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA TO MAKE THEIR APPROACH AND GETAWAY. POLICE CALLED TO THE SCENE OF A PROWLER CRIME SHOULD APPROACH THE HOUSE AS QUIETLY AS POSSIBLE, ANTICIPATE THE ADDRESS AND PARK A FEW HOUSES DOWN FROM THE CRIME SCENE, AND MAINTAIN THIS VANTAGE POINT IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE WHILE WAITING FOR HELP. ATTENDING OFFICERS SHOULD BEGIN THE SEARCH WITH CAREFUL INSPECTION UNDER AND AROUND CARS IN THE LOCALITY; QUESTIONING OF PERSONS IN THE LOCALE REGARDLESS OF HOW INNOCENT THEY MAY APPEAR; LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE SUCH AS FOOTPRINTS, CLOTH PARTICLES, OR WARM CAR HOODS (A RECENTLY-USED VEHICLE MAY BE THE GETAWAY CAR FOR THE BURGLAR); AND CHECKING ALL TREES AND BUSHES AND ANY OTHER POTENTIAL HIDING PLACES. IF THE INITIAL SEARCH PROVES FRUITLESS, POLICE SHOULD THEN LEAVE THE AREA, MAKING THEIR LEAVETAKING OBVIOUS, AND RETURN SILENTLY AND SECRETLY FOR A STAKEOUT WHERE ALL EXITS AND STREETS CAN BE WATCHED. MEASURES TO APPREHEND AND SEARCH A SUSPECT ARE DEALT WITH BRIEFLY. (DAG)