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

is also a bit surprising to find how many men will tell these women secrets they have never told anybody in their life. These prostitutes, like bartenders, are willing to listen and they keep an ear out for anything that may be able to help them should they be arrested by the police.

In the movies and television some prostitutes are portrayed as warm, loving individuals who can be saved by the right man. This is totally fictional. Our experiences have found that most prostitutes have, by the age of eighteen, lived more in their lives than most women forty to fifty years of age. They are hardnosed businesswomen, know the streets, and know how to survive. Prostitutes are not easily swayed by emotion and sentiment. The longer a prostitute works the streets, the more she realizes that is all she will ever be.

Whether in brothels or in the streets, under bridges or in automobiles, prostitution remains at the bottom of the social scale. It is the most convenient sexual outlet for le-

gions of strangers, perverts and physically repulsive people in our midst. It performs a role that no other institution performs. In view of the conditions and the continued historical presence of prostitution, it is highly unlikely that it will ever be eliminated as a vice in society.

There are several organizations actively engaged in efforts to protect prostitutes: COYOTE in San Francisco, which stands for Calling Off Your Old Tired Ethics; PONY, which stands for the Prostitutes of New York; PUMA, which stands for the Prostitutes Union of Massachusetts; and ASP, the Association of Seattle Prostitutes. Prostitution appears to be developing a higher profile.

Armed robbery occurs when a person commits a theft with the following elements: The offender uses force, causes injury to the victim, or puts the victim in fear of bodily injury by threats.

The Professional Armed Robber

The professional robber spends his career striving for ultimate success —the big payoff, a robbery that will earn him enough money so he can live comfortably for the rest of his life. Professional robbers look for establishments with large sums of money readily at hand and a low risk of getting caught. The professional, because he takes pride in his work, will also expect a certain amount of publicity associated with his robbery.

Planning

Let's walk through the steps. Prior to the Christmas holidays, the diamond exchanges stock up anticipating holiday gift-giving. A professional may try to find an insider in the diamond exchange to help him plan the robbery. The insider may be a salesperson who will be paid off for his cooperation. Sometimes, the robber himself may apply for a position and work at the diamond exchange while he plans the robbery. This puts the robber in the best position to learn critical information.

The following questions will need to be answered: What type of security system do they have? Does it have a perimeter alarm? Are there panic buttons? Is there video surveillance? What is the best time to rob the store, that is when will the most merchandise and cash be on hand? Where is the merchandise kept and how it is secured? Is it in a locked safe? Is the safe only open at certain times of the day? Is there more than one place where the merchandise is kept?

He will have to know what other security arrangements are on the premises, such as armed or unarmed security personnel, and the location and the efficiency of the local police department. Are there additional armed or unarmed security block watchers? The professional will also, through his insiders, determine how many customers are likely to be in the store at different times. He will also formulate a plan to fence the stolen merchandise into money.

Through his research, the professional determines that Friday morning will be the best time to commit his robbery. Very few, if any, customers will be in the store. The display cases will be stocked in anticipation of upcoming payday and weekend sales. He has determined how to deal with all security devices and the best time to hit the premises to avoid the police.

The professional has decided to have one partner to commit the robbery. To gain entry, he will have to be let in through the front door designed to control access to the store. He and his assistant will be well dressed so entry is no problem.

The Checklist

What separates the amateur from the professional is not only training but preparation. Most nonprofessional robbers commit crimes of opportunity. The professional studies the crime and arranges a checklist of equipment needed, weapons that will be carried, and a schedule for the robbery. The checklist will encompass the entire operation, and is used to assure that all participants know their assignments.

Armed robberies require equipment, including small caliber weapons or handguns, which are easy to conceal. Other equipment may include masks; gloves, either vinyl or leather; and collapsible bags for carrying the merchandise. Plastic heavy-duty trash bags are ideal because they are strong enough to carry the proceeds yet can be concealed easily.

One factor that is often overlooked is the climate and weather conditions. A group of men walking down the street with jackets and gloves in the middle of summer is quite obvious.

Getting in and Getting Out

The entry may be made by our robbers all at once or one at a time. If they enter one at a time, the first person in will be the advance scout, who will survey the activity inside. This initial survey verifies that there need be no changes to the original plan and that no additional security has been added. If the scout feels that the time is not right, he will alert the other team members with a prearranged gesture.

Once inside, they may or may not cover their faces with masks, but will almost always use gloves to evade identification through fingerprints left at the scene.

Employees and any customers are rounded up and contained. The robbers pull out heavy-duty plastic