NCJ Number
44529
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF LAND, SEA, AND AIR VEHICLES IN THE PERPETRATION OF CRIMES IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR SHOULD BE SUSPICIOUS OF THE CAUSE OF ANY CRASH; IT COULD BE A SUICIDE, A HIT-AND-RUN HOMICIDE, OR AN ACCIDENT STAGED TO COVER UP A MURDER. CARS ARE ALSO THE OBJECTS OF CRIMES. THE NATIONAL LOSS IN UNRECOVERED STOLEN CARS IS CLOSE TO $150 MILLION PER YEAR. AUTO THEFT RINGS ARE HIGHLY ORGANIZED AND EFFICIENT, AND MANY OPERATE INTERNATIONALLY. THE THEFT OF ACCESSORIES (E.G., RADIOS AND BATTERIES) IS ALSO INCREASING. AUTOMOBILES HAVE HAD OTHER USES IN CRIME -- AS GETAWAY CARS, AS COFFINS FOR MURDER VICTIMS, FOR PLANTING EXPLOSIVES, AND FOR RUNNING MOONSHINE. TRUCKS ARE FREQUENTLY USED TO STEAL GRAIN AND LIVESTOCK, AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS MAKE TRANSPORTATION OF THE STOLEN GOODS ACROSS STATE LINES FAST AND EASY. CAMPERS AND VANS ARE ALSO IDEAL FOR CRIMINAL USE. THEY ARE VERSATILE, MOBILE, AND UNSUSPICIOUS LOOKING; AS RESIDENCES, THEY ARE PROTECTED BY FOURTH ADMENDMENT SEARCH AND SIEZURE LAWS; AND THEY ARE SELF-CONTAINED SO CRIMINALS CAN MOVE ABOUT AND LEAVE NO TRACE OF RESIDENCY. FARM EQUIPMENT IS ALSO ATTRACTIVE FOR THIEVES. BOATS ARE STOLEN FOR THEIR OWN VALUE OR USED TO TRANSPORT CONTRABAND. AIRPLANES ARE STOLEN, HIJACKED, BOMBED, USED AS GETAWAY VEHICLES, USED FOR SMUGGLING, AND EVEN USED IN PRISON ESCAPES. (VDA)