Msg: 6466 *Conference*
04-25-96 13:33:20
From: RON WIESEN
To : ALL
Subj: THEFT WARNING
If you travel and carry a laptop (or other item of visible value such as a camera or purse) with you, then be aware of the crime scenario and the advice given here. This crime happens frequently! Crime scene is an airport. The crime is theft conducted as a hustle by at least two perpetrators. The target is anyone who carries a laptop while approaching a metal detector. The perpetrators position themselves ahead of the target in the line of people moving through the metal detector. They stall until the target sets the laptop on the conveyor belt, at which point the first perpetrator quickly moves through the metal detector and into the restricted area. Then the second perpetrator moves into the metal detector, sets off the alarm, and backs out. Now comes the diversion: that slow process of emptying pockets, removing jewelry, and so on, which is as slow as the conveyor belt and a tactic to distract attention away from the conveyor belt. When the laptop arrives at the far end of the conveyor belt and eyes are elsewhere, the first perpetrator steals it and quickly heads for the gate area to disappear in the crowd. Sometimes there's a hand off to a third perpetrator who stands just outside the restricted area. The laptop disappears before the victim gets through the metal detector and into the restricted area. Where you can avoid lines at metal detectors, do so. Otherwise, put your laptop and luggage on the conveyor belt just when you clearly are the next person to move into the metal detector. As you move through the metal detector, focus your attention on the conveyor belt. Keep your eyes on your laptop and luggage, and note who picks up what.