NCJ Number
103852
Journal
Terrorism Volume: 9 Issue: 2 Dated: (1987) Pages: 169-206
Date Published
1987
Length
38 pages
Annotation
Based on interviews with criminal justice personnel and a review of relevant newspaper articles, this study details the incident, investigation, apprehension, and trials associated with the Brinks armored car robbery/murder case in Nyack, N.Y., on October 20, 1981.
Abstract
Other issues discussed are case processing costs and pretrial security measures. This analysis of the case identified a number of issues related to the system's responses to terrorist activities. Although the overall police response to the incident was effective, the initial police response was hampered by inadequate radio communications and the preparedness of the police at the roadblock that stopped one of the escape vehicles. The investigatory task force composed of local and State police agencies in liaison with the Joint Terrorist Task Force is a model that might be used in future similar incidents. A major problem, however, was a conflict between the local prosecutor's office and the FBI/New York City Police Department Joint Terrorist Task Force due to different objectives in the case. Other issues were the cost and preparation for pretrial and corrections security, delays and security problems caused by venue changes, prosecution costs, the appropriate State role in dealing with terrorism, and the collection and dissemination of intelligence about terrorists. 1 figure and chronology of events.