Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Troy Police Business Crime Alert December 28, 2004
Troy Business Community:
The Police have been busy with the usual increase in activities that occur during the holiday season. These are some recent significant incidents and arrests:
Car jacking Arrest: A 27-year old man was robbed while sitting in his 2003 Chevy Avalanche in a parking lot near 14 Mile and John-R. The suspect produced a handgun and ordered the victim out of his car, then stole his vehicle, money, and cell phone. The suspect was located and arrested by Police from Troy and Madison Heights after a track by a Police K-9 unit.
Crime Prevention Tip: If you must sit in your vehicle for extended times; keep the windows up and the doors locked. If someone that you do not know approaches, do not open the door or window. If they claim they need help, call the police (9-1-1 works on cellular phones). If they are persistent, or if you are suspicious of them, drive away and call the police.
There were several Retail Frauds (shoplifting) during this period. In two of these incidents the suspects were reported as 2 black females and a black male in their 20’s, who drove off in a 4-door Nissan Altima or Maxima. In another incident, a black female escaped in blue Dodge Neon. There were other incidents in which the suspects were caught and arrested after stealing clothing.
Crime Prevention Tip: Be aware of your customers. If they are picking out large amounts of merchandise without regard to size or they are moving merchandise around the store, they are likely getting ready to steal it. Ask them if they need help, and stay with them. Alert your co-workers and have someone stand near the exits. If they steal from your store and get away, follow them out and get a vehicle description and direction of travel, them call the Police immediately.
Counterfeit Gift Certificates: A 20-year old woman was arrested after passing $1450.00 worth of counterfeit Oakland Mall gift certificates at various stores in the mall. Additionally, $650.00 worth of counterfeit gift certificates was recovered from the suspect after she was arrested. The suspect claimed that she purchased them from an unknown male in the parking lot. The employees involved in this incident did a great job of following up on suspicious gift certificates, which allowed for the apprehension of this suspect.
Crime Prevention Tip: Treat Gift Certificates as Cash; check them for authenticity as well as for signs of alteration (erasures, smudges, etc.) When in doubt, take the time to verify with the issuing company.
Pedestrian Injury Accident: A 35-year old woman was struck by a pick up truck, while she walked through a parking lot at the Somerset Collection. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The 21-year old male driver was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license.
Safety Tip: Parking lots can be just as dangerous as streets, and even more so. Drivers may be distracted looking for open spaces and not see you. Pay close attention to all directions of traffic, and be prepared to move out of the way. Drivers, watch out for pedestrians and other cars backing out of spaces. It is difficult to remove all of the snow from parking lots, so they may be more slippery than the roads.
Retailers should be aware that there tends to be an increase in employee-related crimes, such as embezzlement during the holiday season. The Troy Police have received several reports of Embezzlement, and have made 4 arrests since December 17.
Crime Prevention Tip: Screen your seasonal employees just as you do your regular employees.
Remember that, as many people are off work during the holiday season, there will likely be more people out shopping. This usually translates into more reports of disorderly conduct, drunk driving, and even domestic assault, all which can spill over into the retail realm. Be aware and cautious of these and other activities that could affect you, your associates, and your business. Report all crimes to the Police and vigorously seek prosecution of lawbreakers.
The Police have been busy with the usual increase in activities that occur during the holiday season. These are some recent significant incidents and arrests:
Car jacking Arrest: A 27-year old man was robbed while sitting in his 2003 Chevy Avalanche in a parking lot near 14 Mile and John-R. The suspect produced a handgun and ordered the victim out of his car, then stole his vehicle, money, and cell phone. The suspect was located and arrested by Police from Troy and Madison Heights after a track by a Police K-9 unit.
Crime Prevention Tip: If you must sit in your vehicle for extended times; keep the windows up and the doors locked. If someone that you do not know approaches, do not open the door or window. If they claim they need help, call the police (9-1-1 works on cellular phones). If they are persistent, or if you are suspicious of them, drive away and call the police.
There were several Retail Frauds (shoplifting) during this period. In two of these incidents the suspects were reported as 2 black females and a black male in their 20’s, who drove off in a 4-door Nissan Altima or Maxima. In another incident, a black female escaped in blue Dodge Neon. There were other incidents in which the suspects were caught and arrested after stealing clothing.
Crime Prevention Tip: Be aware of your customers. If they are picking out large amounts of merchandise without regard to size or they are moving merchandise around the store, they are likely getting ready to steal it. Ask them if they need help, and stay with them. Alert your co-workers and have someone stand near the exits. If they steal from your store and get away, follow them out and get a vehicle description and direction of travel, them call the Police immediately.
Counterfeit Gift Certificates: A 20-year old woman was arrested after passing $1450.00 worth of counterfeit Oakland Mall gift certificates at various stores in the mall. Additionally, $650.00 worth of counterfeit gift certificates was recovered from the suspect after she was arrested. The suspect claimed that she purchased them from an unknown male in the parking lot. The employees involved in this incident did a great job of following up on suspicious gift certificates, which allowed for the apprehension of this suspect.
Crime Prevention Tip: Treat Gift Certificates as Cash; check them for authenticity as well as for signs of alteration (erasures, smudges, etc.) When in doubt, take the time to verify with the issuing company.
Pedestrian Injury Accident: A 35-year old woman was struck by a pick up truck, while she walked through a parking lot at the Somerset Collection. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The 21-year old male driver was arrested for driving on a suspended driver’s license.
Safety Tip: Parking lots can be just as dangerous as streets, and even more so. Drivers may be distracted looking for open spaces and not see you. Pay close attention to all directions of traffic, and be prepared to move out of the way. Drivers, watch out for pedestrians and other cars backing out of spaces. It is difficult to remove all of the snow from parking lots, so they may be more slippery than the roads.
Retailers should be aware that there tends to be an increase in employee-related crimes, such as embezzlement during the holiday season. The Troy Police have received several reports of Embezzlement, and have made 4 arrests since December 17.
Crime Prevention Tip: Screen your seasonal employees just as you do your regular employees.
Remember that, as many people are off work during the holiday season, there will likely be more people out shopping. This usually translates into more reports of disorderly conduct, drunk driving, and even domestic assault, all which can spill over into the retail realm. Be aware and cautious of these and other activities that could affect you, your associates, and your business. Report all crimes to the Police and vigorously seek prosecution of lawbreakers.
