Modus Operandi by Mauro Corvasce (universal ebook reader txt) 📕

Alarm System. The trailer is then assigned to a tractor. Ideally, it is equipped with an automatic alarm that will sound a warning if it is disturbed at any time while in transit or unattended. The alarm is set by the dispatcher at the terminal with a master key. Some of the alarms, which you may have seen on the sides of trucks, are manufactured by Babaco. This alarm can now be turned off only by the dispatcher in Miami, Florida, with his master key.

The Road Drivers. The driver receives his instructions from the dispatcher: he is to be relieved by two other drivers in relay along the Eastern Seaboard route. In compliance with Inter-State Commerce Commission regulations, he will maintain a driver's log showing the times of driving and the times of rest. As an additional check, some tractors are equipped with an instrument that records automatically the periods of driving and stopping as well as the speed of the vehicle.

Arrival. Upon reaching the Miami terminal, the driver checks in with the Miami dispatcher and gives him a report of the trip, a copy of the logs, and a pouch containing bills and instructions concerning the load. The shipment is then unloaded and checked against the manifest. It is imperative, at this point, that the seal has not been disturbed. If that seal is broken, of course, it will mean that someone has had access to the shipment while it was in transit from Harry's Hotpants to Mimi's Minis.

The City Delivery. At the Miami terminal, the cartons are checked and loaded into a city or local delivery truck, which goes to Mimi's clothing warehouse. The doors are unlocked and the cartons are placed on the platform where they are checked by the receiving clerk who signs the waybill. He may mark the cartons with the date and time of delivery and a symbol to indicate if they were in acceptable condition.

Let's say our bad guy reviews the shipping orders and knows that a truckload of brand new, top-of-the-line, large-screen TVs is being transported from San Francisco to New York City. Using their influence, the bad guys install a driver loyal to the cause. This driver will be given a route to follow, but prior to arriving in New York City, a slight detour will occur. In some out of the way place, the driver, along with his accomplices, will either unload the cargo into a waiting tractor trailer, or give up the tractor trailer itself. To make it appear realistic, the driver may even be tied up or assaulted. The driver will then continue on his merry way avoiding any law enforcement inspection stops or weight stations. Once the driver feels his accomplices are safe and secure, he will contact the local law enforcement agency and report the crime.

The same scheme could be used on shorter runs. We have both worked on numerous cases where, of all things, seafood trucks have been hijacked. New Jersey has a substantial number of seafood restaurants, co-ops and fish markets. Seafood is very expensive and practically nontrace-able. We all know a fish is a fish and has no vehicle registration numbers, so tracing these edible delights is impossible. Just about all the seafood-truck hijackings we have worked on, even though it wasn't always proven, seemed to have had an insider. When we talk about seafood trucks, we're talking about medium-sized, refrigerated panel trucks.

Less than semi-size trucks are usually hijacked at truck stops. A gunman will direct the driver to a semi-secluded area where the transfer is made. Waiting in this area is a truck similar in size to the hijacked one. A number of accomplices will be standing by and, in just about all the ones we have worked on, these accomplices will be wearing some type of ski mask or other face covering to prevent recognition. All will be wearing gloves, not only to not leave any fingerprints, but to aid in carrying the heavy crates. Once the transfer is made, the driver of the hijacked vehicle will be made to walk back to the road or be tied up and left to be discovered. The only problem with tying the driver is the criminals must make certain that the victim will be discovered quickly before the victim is injured or dies from exposure to the elements.

Trucks containing merchandise are sometimes parked on city streets or in fenced-in parking lots. These trucks usually have just a padlock, which can easily be cut with a pair of bolt cutters. Local street gangs find this easy prey; they either climb over or cut through the fence, go to either the rear or side door and cut the padlock to gain entry. Once inside, a quick survey will be conducted, and items are removed. They seldom take all the cargo, usually just what they can carry.

Another technique for truck hijacking occurs when a trucker pulls into a truck stop for some food and fuel. While at the truck stop, the truck driver will meet a very friendly lady who will persuade him to give her a ride down the road. Once on their way, the lady brandishes a weapon and forces the driver to a location where her accomplices are waiting to receive the merchandise.

Hew Police Capture Hijackers

There are common methods the police use to link hijackers to the crime:

1. Sideview mirrors, rearview mirrors, window, cab door ledges and handles, side and rear doors, are the most likely places where hijackers leave fingerprints. This is one of the reasons that some hijackers wear gloves. Another reason is to avoid drawing attention to themselves, as many truck drivers wear leather gloves.

2. Any dirt left inside the truck cab such as soil on the clutch peddle can be linked to shoes, which may be found later by the police. As you know, dirt and soil from a particular area can be positively linked to the same type of soil when it is discovered