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.