Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Crime Pattern ID: Pickpocketing

 
 Video from YouTube: Bob Arno, world's fastest-fingered pickpocket

Pattern: Pickpocketing

Victims: persons in crowded areas/heavily trafficked areas , unsuspecting persons, tourists

Perpetrators: usually involves skill perpetrator, in urban and tourist areas may be organized ring 

Locations: streets, public transportation, tourist areas

Times: any time

Entry/Approach Methods: skilled pickpocket sometimes approaches without appearing to interact with victim and disappears quickly, sometimes bumps victim, some use distraction with/without another person stealing wallet/valuables

Stolen Goods: wallet, cash, credit cards, jewelry, other valuables

Method: many methods including sleight of hand, speed, misdirection, feigned providing or requiring assistance, may happen in crowded area where body contact would not be unusual and so goes unnoticed, may be professionals

Motive: quick cash, profit

Query Terms: pocket, picked, pickpocket, wallet, bump, distract, press, reach

Suggestions: track all pickpocketing in your jurisdiction, know who your chronic offenders are and educate officers and community about them, develop prevention awareness products for community

Resources:


1 comment:

  1. Bob Arno has much more street crime analysis at Thiefhunters in Paradise http://bobarno.com/thiefhunter and at http://www.bobarno.com/bata.htm

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