NCJ Number
65539
Date Published
1974
Length
30 pages
Annotation
THIS 1974 STATEMENT BY KEVIN T. MARONEY, THEN DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO CONGRESS DISCUSSES FEDERAL EFFORTS TO APPREHEND CRIMINAL DISTRIBUTORS OF STOLEN GOODS AND CARGO THIEVES.
Abstract
CARGO THEFT FROM INDUSTRY AND CRIMINAL DISTRIBUTION OF STOLEN GOODS (FENCING) REMAIN OVERWHELMING. BY 1974, 36 STATES HAD ESTABLISHED OR WERE PLANNING TO ESTABLISH LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSIONS TO PROMOTE THE APPREHENSION AND PROSECUTION OF THIEVES AND FENCES. ALSO BEING PLANNED WERE CARGO SECURITY WORKING GROUPS OF STATE AND FEDERAL AGENTS AND OFFICIALS TO MONITOR AND PROCESS CARGO THEFT CASES. HOWEVER, LAW ENFORCEMENT ALONE CANNOT CURTAIL CARGO THEFTS. TRANSPORTATION AND INDUSTRY MUST HELP BY PROVIDING BETTER SECURITY AND IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTY BEING SHIPPED. CASES SHOW IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PROSECUTE CARGO THIEVES IF CARGO IS NOT PROPERLY MARKED FOR IDENTIFICATION; FURTHER, THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY MUST HELP PREVENT THEFTS TO RELIEVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BURDEN. UNFORTUNATELY THE EFFORTS OF INDUSTRY AND TRANSPORTATION REMAIN POOR AND 80 PERCENT OF ALL LARCENIES GO UNSOLVED. IN INVESTIGATING FENCES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS MUST USE WIRETAPS AND INFORMANTS, OR PURCHASE STOLEN GOODS THEMSELVES. NEVERTHELESS, UNDERCOVER AGENTS' ARRESTING FENCES DESTROYS THEIR COVER AND HENCE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT APPREHENDED THIEVES BE PERSUADED TO REVEAL THEIR FENCES BY OFFERING THEM IMMUNITY IN RETURN FOR THE INFORMATION. FINALLY, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FENCES BE IDENTIFIED AND PROSECUTED UNDER ANY OR ALL APPROPRIATE STATUTES. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE ANTITHEFT ACTIVITIES BY ORGANIZED CRIME STRIKE FORCES AND THE FBI, TRAFFIC IN STOLEN SECURITIES AND AUTOMOBILES, AND PROPOSALS FOR LEGISLATION. (PAP)