How Police Access Data to Obtain Criminal Information: Uncle Bob's Story

Seal of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), USA. — “Servicing Our Citizens” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

by Tabetha Cooper

In the Criminal Justice system there are different types of data.  Law enforcement can obtain just about any type of information desired about any through their databases.  Uncle Bob was arrested for this very reason.  Through Uncle Bob's story a person can see the process and learn the databases officer's have at their fingertips as well as the communication techniques law enforcement agenciesuse.

            Uncle Bob and I reside in California and decided to take a vacation to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  As later verified on mapquest.com, we were ten miles from Tampa on Interstate 75 when Uncle Bob was pulled over for speeding, he was traveling 80 miles per hour in a 70 mile per hour zone.  Uncle Bob seemed to be a bit nervous about the cop pulling him over.  I guess that he knew at the moment the officer was using his two way radio to call in the license plate number.  He knew that I was on probation for driving with no insurance and Uncle Bob hates delays.  "Uncle Bob, please settle down.  It is alright I have insurance now.  Plus you are driving, there is no reason to worry." I tell him.

            "I am sorry, I will be fine," he replied as he pulled to the shoulder of the interstate.  The officer, I believe his badge read Officer Blake, asked Uncle Bob for his license and registration.  He calmly took out his wallet as I grab my registration and proof of insurance from the glove box.

            As Officer Blake walked back to his vehicle, I told Uncle Bob not to worry because my probation would not come up simply by a license plate check.  He said that he was aware of that.  While Officer Blake was in his care you scanned the bar code on Uncle Bob's driver’s license which verified that they were valid with no restriction.  He then entered the information from Uncle Bob's license (name, birth date, and social security number) into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.  This is done by accessing the Internet from the mobile office set up in his cruiser.  The mobile office consists of a computer, a two way radio, and a scanner. (Foster, 2005).

            The next thing I knew Officer Blake requested Uncle Bob to step out of the car with his hands in the air.  I ducked slightly to look out of the driver's window, I was going to ask what was going on until I saw that Officer Blake had his gun drawn.  He told me to set in the passenger seat with my hands on the dash.  I was really beginning to wonder what was going on.  Uncle Bob said, "Do what the officer says.  Officer, she has nothing to do with this I promise you that."  That was the last thing I heard from Uncle Bob.  Officer Blake had as my Uncle to place his hands on the trunk of the car.  Although I could not see what was going on I was sure the officer was searching Uncle Bob for weapons. 

            As the officer read Uncle Bob his Miranda Warnings I sat in the car wondering what in the world this was all about.  Uncle Bob did not seem to surprise of the event.  I knew he has been in trouble in the state of California more than one time in the past.  Remembering the big party Uncle Bob had thrown the month before, celebrating his "true freedom" as he put it, I was aware he was no longer on probation.  What could all this be about?  As I finished that though the officer came to my side of the car and started to ask me questions about how I knew Uncle Bob.  Giving the shortest answers possible, I completely complied with Officer Blake.

            Officer Blake explained to me that upon requesting information about Uncle Bob from the NCIC database he learned that Uncle Bob had a warrant out for murder.  "Sir, you have to be mistaken!  He could never do anything like that,” were all the words that I could manage to say.  Deciding the best thing to do was follow them to the police station, I got in my car still dumbfounded by what I had heard.

            Once at the station, the officer found out that both the agency that possessed the warrant on my uncle and their own agency used software purchased from a first tier manufacturer.  He was able to access the portion of Sacramento's record management system (RMS) and evidence management system (EMS) that gave information that pertains to Uncle Bob. (Foster, 2005).  Looking over Officer's Blake shoulder I was able to see that Sacramento's police department had physical evidence, more specifically DNA evidence, that Uncle Bob had raped and murder a little girl that lived on his block.  I could not believe what I had seen.  I called Aunt Pauline and informed her of what was going on.  Meanwhile, Officer Blake booked Uncle Bob and set up extradition back to California.

            As a note to all those interested, Uncle Bob got the death penalty after convicted for the rape and murder of a seven year old girl in Sacramento, California.  California adopted the 1994 Three Strike Law, which states that any offender that has committed their third felony would be sentenced to twenty-five years to life, regardless of the actual offense. (Egelko, 2010)  Since this was Uncle Bob's third offense we knew he would at least get that.  California also adopted the death penalty in 1872 and after ruling it unconstitutional in 1972 went on to reinstate it in 1977.   Needless to say, it was no suprise to the family that Uncle Bob received the death penalty.  We were just happy that Uncle Bob was able to choose lethal injection! (State of California, 2009).

References

Egelko, Bob. (2010) High Court: Calif. can apply '3 strikes' law to juveniles. Retrieved April 20, 2010, from http://www.correctionsone.com/juvenile-offenders/articles/2050079-High

            -Court-Calif-can-apply-3-strikes-law-to-juveniles/

Foster, R.E. (2000). Police Technology. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall

MapQuest. (2010) Driving Directions from Sacramento, California to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.                Retrieved April 19, 2010, from http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Sacramento&1s

            =CA&1y=US&1l=38.581699&1g=-121.493301&1v=CITY&2c=Fort+Lauderdale

            &2s=FL&2y=US&2l=26.121901&2g=-80.1436&2v=CITY

State Of California. (2009) History of Capital Punishment in California. Retrieved April 17,                                 2010, from http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Reports_Research/historyCapital.html

  

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Impact of Terrorism in the US Today

by Tina Handrick

Introduction

On September 11, 2001 the United States of America changed forever. This was the day that the U.S. realized how badly a job they were doing on making sure that this country was protected from outside attacks and corruption. There were many lives lost from the terrorist attacks 

September 11 2001 Bell in Saint Paul's Church next to Ground Zero (Photo credit: Whiskeygonebad)

that happened on September 11, 2001 and a huge blow to our country. On this day there were two planes that crashed into the twin towers in New York and another plane crashed into the Pentagon, in Northern Virginia, and a forth plane went down in rural Pennsylvania which was meant for Washington, D.C. thanks to the heroic effort of the passengers on that plane. Thousands of people lost their lives this day, many people lost a loved one, a wife, a husband, mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, and grandfather over something as senseless as another man’s greed and thought process.

Terrorism Impact

Since September 11, 2001 there has been disagreements on whom and how information should be shared within the network of public and country safety. Police Chiefs, Mayors, and City Managers have criticized the FBI for being too secretive about its counterterrorism investigations 

English: The Seal of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. For more information, see here. Español: El escudo del Buró Federal de Investigaciones (FBI). Para obtener más información, véase aquí (Inglés). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(E.J. Delattre, pg. 413, 414). They believe that to make the best use of their manpower and the local knowledge in safeguarding the public the police are in need of the information that the FBI has regarding any terrorist suspects, networks, potential local targets, and any other likely attack that could be in the works. Terrorism prevention doesn’t only depend on mutual candor and cooperation from local, state and federal agencies it could also benefit from creating a first response program that allows a better response from police, firefighters, hazardous materials experts, hospitals and other emergency personnel. If prior knowledge is known throughout these types of organization about potential terrorist threats that are pending then maybe some of what happened on Sept. 11 can be avoided in the future.

On October 26, 2001 President Bush signed into law the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (U.S.A. Patriot Act), this new law enlarges the surveillance and search powers of federal agencies and expands their authority to share among themselves information and intelligence, including previously secret grand jury information. It allows for greater information to be shared with foreign governments. It grants the Department of State and the Immigration and Naturalization Service access to criminal history records and other materials maintained by the National Crime Information Center and expands federal authority to deny admission to any alien “who has been associated with terrorist organization and intends while in the U.S. to engage solely, principally, or incidentally in activities that could endanger the welfare, safety, or security of the U.S.” (Section 411).

Seal of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), USA. — “Servicing Our Citizens” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Homeland Defense from terrorism requires police to undertake a larger mission to the public and government. Now police have to commit their personnel and budgets to expand to include new antiterrorism assignments, at the cost of other priorities, which means that the people and community that it serves suffers. Because police now have to move their officers around to now include historic sites and other targets of terrorism now it means taking away from areas that still have crime and the possibility of that crime rate going back of because of the changes. Sure these agencies receive money to help with some of the cost but with the rising economy, and the loss of jobs the streets just do not have the amount of police present that it needs to stop other crimes from happening. Most police agencies are already spread thin and when you add more work and fewer officers then you are looking at more criminal activity and corruption.

Social Stigma

Social stigma varies vastly from country to country. Depending on a country's foreign policies, including countries they are possibly at war with, or have immigration issues with another, the social stigma attached to certain ethnicities or creeds can have a great effect on the public. This attitude from the general public, or rather, sections of the public prejudice against other sections can directly influence law enforcement. Islam has perhaps been the biggest source of social stigma in the Western World over the past decade or so.

People argue and discuss with protestors at the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 While Islam is a peaceful, global religion with over a billion Muslims, the religion's reputation has come under unfair scrutiny because of insane or terrorist individuals. This is largely due to terrorist factions hiding behind the protection of their religion to justify their own misguided intentions that what they believe is what should be. After September 11, there was wide spread animosity towards people of an Asian ethnicity, often regardless of their religion; many Hindus, Sikhs and members of other religions were harassed indiscriminately just because of what or where they might have come from. The American Christian belief is that you can have your own religion without prosecution or ridicule; the same should be applied to any other country as well. Just because they may have a few rotten apples we should not judge all of them and put them in the same basket.

 These events and news stories cannot help but influence an individual's outlook of things. While the law is supposed to judge all members of its society equally and fairly, the people enforcing these laws are individuals in their own right. They may have professional codes of ethics to abide by, but in some situations, an officer of the law's own perceptions of threats can weigh in, sometimes for the better, and sometimes unfairly. It’s very important that when doing a job an officer is not looking at the color of a person skin but on how that person may be behaving and their mannerisms.

Ethical

Police abuse of force and police corruption usually follows accord with each other. If 

September 11, 2001 (Photo credit: wallyg)

an officer goes out and deals drugs or steals evidence to sell out on the street, is just as bad as having an suspect in custody and using force to obtain a confession or information that can be used against them or others in a court of law. It is everyone’s right to be treated fairly and without due harm. If someone is treated when in custody then anything that they have said could be thrown out of court due to the way the information was obtained and if their lawyer plays the right cards. Police officers need to use their training when dealing with potential suspect, or corruptive thoughts. You should follow the policies and procedures that your agency has so that you don’t have to worry about crossing any lines. If there are any other personnel that you know that are committing such crimes, ethically and morally you should report them to your supervisor as soon as possible with any proof that you might have attained. Some of the examples of this would be

·         Excessive use of deadly force

·         Excessive use of physical force

·         Discriminatory patterns of arrest

·         Patterns of harassment of such "undesirables" as the homeless, youth, minorities and gays, including aggressive and discriminatory use of the "stop-and-frisk" and overly harsh enforcement of petty offenses.

·         Chronic verbal abuse of citizen, including racist, sexist and homophobic slurs

·         Discriminatory non-enforcement of the law, such as the failure to respond quickly to calls in low-income areas, and half-hearted investigations of domestic violence, rape or hate crimes.

·         Spying on political activists.

·         Employment discrimination -- in hiring, promotion and assignments, and internal harassment of minority, women and gay or lesbian police personnel.

·         The "code of silence" and retaliation against officers who report abuse and/or support reforms.

·         Overreaction to "gang" problems, which is driven by the assumption that most or all associational activity, is gang-related. This includes illegal mass stops and arrests, and demanding photo IDs from young men based on their race and dress instead of their criminal conduct.

·         The "war on drugs," complete with overboard searches and other tactics that endanger innocent bystanders. This "war" wastes scarce resources on unproductive "buy and bust" operations to the neglect of more promising community-based approaches.

·         Lack of accountability, such as the failure to discipline or prosecute abusive officers, and the failure to deter abuse by denying promotions and/or particular assignments because of prior abusive behavior.

·         Crowd control tactics that infringe on free expression rights and lead to unnecessary use of physical force (N.A., 2004)

If for any reason anyone in an agency behaves in this manner then it would be a good idea to turn them into I.A. (Internal Affairs) and make it clear that you are not a part of the situation. Having strong ethics is a must when you are serving the public, you are constantly being judged from those that you are protecting and if for any reason the community is to doubt your judgment it could make it hard for them to trust you.

Training

When a new officer goes through training he/she goes through classes that can make it easier for them to deal with the public and the criminal elements. Hopefully this new recruit already has good ethics instilled into them because at this late date it is hard to change a person outlook in life

English: FBI Mobile Command Center in Washington DC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some of the jobs that an officer has to undertake are:

·         Patrolling their districts, responding to calls for service, conducting preliminary investigations, investigating traffic related incidents, writing reports, pursuing and detaining suspects, and making arrests

·         Enforcing traffic and parking laws

·         Participating in Community Policing activities

·         Working with other police department units as well as other local, state, and federal entities

·         Preparing for and attending court appearances

·         Participating in mandatory and elective training

·         Keeping proficient with firearms

Learning how to use critical thinking skills is a plus when you are faced with a situation that doesn’t allow you to make a mistake. Training should be done every year as a refresher course so that you have the tools that you need in case there are in changes to policy or regulations.

Conclusion

Since September 11, 2001 the way that people look at each other in America is different. They are either against everything that the bombing has changed or they have united against it but one of the things that is more upsetting is that a lot of American’s are forgetting, and when that happens that allows for it to happen again.  All law enforcement agencies should help each other when it comes to terrorist threats and not withhold critical information when it is needed. The security 

US Navy 060911-N-9578C-002 Sailors from USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) read names of New York Fire and Police Department members who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

in America should be on top of the list to make sure that what happened on September 11 never happens again. By stopping some of the immigration into our country for a while can help keep some of these people out that can cause such destruction. The U.S. has enough inner turmoil that having outside terror as a constant threat just seems to be another layer of pressure on the law enforcement agencies.

References:

Ethics in Policing Character and Cops By: Edwin J. Delattre 2011

Plano Police Department; Assignments: http://www.plano.gov/Departments/Police/Employment/Pages/assignments.aspx

Preventing Police Abuse: PoliceCrimes.com http://www.policecrimes.com/police_abuse.html

Social Control and the Policing of Terrorism: Foundations for Sociology of Counter-Terrorism; http://www.cas.sc.edu/socy/faculty/deflem/zpolterror.html

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A Closer Look at Police Technology

by Elizabeth Hall

Introduction

When we think of law enforcement officers of decades ago what readily comes to mind are the sheriffs of the Old West armed with a badge, a gun, and a deputy if he was lucky notes Foster (2000).  In modern policing there are sophisticated pieces of equipment developed by modern science and 

English: Mounted law enforcement (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

technology such as computers, software designed for specific functions to aid in investigation, radar, breathalyzers, thermal imaging systems, digital cameras, crime mapping tools and even our own cell phones and devices to investigate, obtain warrants, and convict criminals. With these advances in technology there are distinct advantages to an investigation, however there are also distinct disadvantages, as criminals have access to some of these tools as well (Knetzger, M. & Muraski, 2008).  In this paper we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of computers and software has on law enforcement, along with some examples of how technology has been utilized both for and against law enforcement investigations. 

Advantages of Computers and Software in Investigation

Foster (2000) holds that during the Community Policing Era law enforcement technology turned to computers to aid in the new style of policing America.  These technologies added tools such as 

Seal of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), USA. — “Servicing Our Citizens” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Enhanced 911 systems, and even the Automated Fingerprint Identity System are some of the real tools that law enforcement have at their disposal.  Schultz (2008) also lists technological tools that have enabled law enforcement to have information and databases at their disposal even when in their cars, and those that replace officers altogether such as cameras that record graffiti and vandalism, and photo enforcement systems which allow for crimes to be reported automatically in cases of vandalism or traffic violations, which the agency can then send out a traffic ticket complete with photo of car as proof or feed the data about the vandalism complete with photos in the their computers to aid in the investigation and apprehension of the vandals.  Thermal imaging cameras allow officers to monitor for suspects, number of people in the building, detect possible narcotics growing operations, and gather other data from afar gaining them the advantage of surprise when it is time to apprehend the criminals (Schultz, 2008). All of these tools allow for faster, safer law enforcement intervention into criminal investigation by shaving time off of individual evidence identification, suspect identification, dispatch of personnel, and validity of evidence in the courtroom by providing allowable visual evidence, or by allowing law enforcement to gain knowledge without detection by the criminals.    

Disadvantages of Computers and Software on Law Enforcement

While there are advantages to law enforcement with the advancement of technological tools, there are also disadvantages, as criminals have access to computers and software as well (Knetzger, M. & Muraski, 2008). What makes it particularly disadvantageous to law enforcement is that by the nature of the internet and global accessibility these crimes are not impossible, but very difficult to trace.  Often crimes are committed from another country and prosecution requires multiple country cooperation to investigate and prosecute criminals.  Another difficulty is funding, as technology is always updating, and law enforcement budgeting may not allow for the rapid replacement of equipment, particularly in smaller agencies. What makes it particularly disadvantageous to law enforcement is that by the nature of the internet and global accessibility these crimes are not impossible, but very difficult to trace. With the technological advances of the computer and the ease of use of the internet, transnational and national criminals take advantage of these tools every day (Knetzger, M. & Muraski, 2008). 

Ways to Utilize Technology to Commit a Crime

Criminalscan use computers and cell phones to commit fraud, identity theft, scams, hacking, stalking, bullying, harassment, child pornography violations, child enticement, narcotics distribution and manufacture, cell phone fraud, terrorism and even last but certainly not least, organized crime (Knetzger, M. & Muraski, 2008).   Deirmenjian (2002) speaks of the ease which pedophiles can trade, sell or buy photos, belong to private forums, groups and chat rooms, and generally indulge in their fantasies.  A simple thing as email can be used in the commission of cyberstalking, harassment, or even to used to threaten someone, along with scams designed to gain personal information or funds from a person by proclaiming they won the lottery, are due an inheritance, have governmental oversight funds to disburse, or a sick relative, which are known as advance fee scams.  Identity fraud is also connected with this as some of them ask you for personal information which can then be sold or utilized later.  Organized crime groups can sell stolen merchandise, narcotics, monitor their gambling and loan sharking operations, and even recruit members over the internet (Knetzger, M. & Muraski, 2008).  

Case Example of Criminal Enterprise with Computers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (2012) reports that a large ring of Tech Support Scams was discovered originating out of India which they are launching a major offensive and have succeeded in locking the assets of at least six enterprises.  The criminals use phones and computers to commit the crimes by posing as legitimate telemarketers from major companies, talking unsuspecting victims into believing that their computer needs to be rid of spy and malware.  The victims would then

English: Washington, D.C. headquarters of the Federal Trade Commission. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 pay fees to the fake company representatives to allow them to then remotely access their computers and “fix” the problem.  With fees ranging from $49 to $450 per fix, they would direct the consumer to a software download allowing them to remotely download useless or free programs to the consumer machine (FTC, 2012).   

Case Example of Computers Aiding in Solving Crimes

Deirmenjian (2002) cites several cases where pedophiles were arrested and their own computers were not only utilized in the criminal activity, but also aided in the investigation of the crimes.  For example, a thirty eight year old male pedophile was caught trying to set up a meeting with a 13 year old girl, which turned out to be an officer posing as that minor.  He was caught when he turned up for the meeting.  Another case was that of a murderer out on parole who thought he was communicating with a mother who would allow him to sexually assault her teenage daughters.  Imagine his surprise when he landed back in jail for that one due to the anonymity of the internet, and his inability to control his impulses.

Conclusion

Technological advances in society have had both positive and negative effects on law enforcement in this country, although there have been huge strides in the positive effects (Foster, 2002).  Even though the commissions of some crimes are aided by the use of software, computers, and the internet, often these same tools can aid in the investigation, arrest, and prosecution of crime.  The benefits of information sharing between our law enforcement agencies through databases like AFIS and CODIS, the fingerprint and DNA databases, crime and criminal information such as that found on NCIC, and advances in technology such as vandalism systems and photo enforcement systems save our officers time and keep them engaged and in action at the same time by making information available to them in their cars at their fingertips instead of in a records room sorting through fingerprint cards.  This far outweighs the disadvantages the criminals pose.

References:

Deirmenjian, J.M. MD, (2002).  Pedophilia on the Internet.  Journal of Forensic Science, Sept 2002.  Vol 47, № 5.  Retrieved From: http://www.hawaii.edu/hivandaids/Pedophilia_on_the_Internet.pdf

Federal Trade Commission, (FTC), (2012).  FTC Halts Massive Tech Support Scams.  Retrieved From: http://ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/pecon.shtm

Foster, R.E. (2000). Police Technology. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall

Knetzger, M. & Muraski, (2008).  Investigating High-Tech Crime.  New Jersey Prentice Hall, Pearson Education.  ISBN:  0-536-08577-3

Schultz, P.D., (2008).  The Future is Here: Technology in Police Departments.  The Police Chief, vol. LXXV, no. 6, June 2008.  Retrieved From: http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?article_id=1527&fuseaction=display&issue_id=62008

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Police and How Far the Long Arm of Really Is- My Vacation with Uncle Bob

by Elizabeth Hall

Rinnngggg… “Hello?” I answered; the voice on the other end was a voice I had not heard in a while. It was Uncle Bob.  We always hung out when he was in my neck of the woods. I lived in northern California, while he lived in the southern end of the state. He asked me if I wanted to go with him to Miami, Florida the next week, we would be leaving on Saturday. I told Uncle Bob that sounded fun, as I was currently on sabbatical from my job, and had plenty of free time.

On Saturday, we had arranged to meet at the airport, so I drove to the meeting place. Bob looked a little nervous and disheveled but that was not completely out of character for Uncle Bob who had always been a bit odd. He suggested that we rent a car and make a longer trip out of it, driving to Miami. Since Uncle Bob had offered to pay for the trip, I replied that it sounded like fun. Off we went driving across the country, exploring the states in between California and Florida having a great time. It took us two weeks to reach Miami. That is when all the trouble started.

NYPD boat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Officer John Davenport pulled out of the police-parking garage to begin his shift. He was a five-year veteran on the force, and loved his job in the Traffic Division of the Miami-Dade Police Force. He drove through his familiar patrol route, checking the hot spots for speeding violations. Currently he was positioned on the interstate clocking speeds of motorists entering his county. He spots a vehicle doing 75MPH when the speed limit is 55MPH.

“Woo Woo” Officer Davenport turns on the siren and picks up his radio “I have a traffic stop, on I-10 at the 108 mile marker” he reports to dispatch. “White Toyota Celica, license plate 786-CAF”. The dispatcher on the other end cackles “got it”. He gets out of his car, and approaches the suspect vehicle. He notices a man and a woman in the front seat, and waits a second for the driver to open his window fully. “I pulled you over because you were speeding about a mile back on the road. May I see your license and registration please?” All the while, Uncle Bob is looking particularly nervous, but he hands the documents to the officer. I am beginning to wonder why Uncle Bob looks this way, as officer Davenport leaves the car and sits down in his cruiser. (Foster, 2005)

Seal of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), USA. — “Servicing Our Citizens” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Officer Davenport sits down in his car, and runs Uncle Bob’s driver’s license through the scanner but this takes a few minutes for the information on the bar code information to come up. In the meantime, he is running the driver information through the national law enforcement database, called the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), with the aid of his computer equipped in the squad car. (Foster, 2005)

It was only a few minutes later that I found out why Uncle Bob looked so nervous. Unbeknownst to me, before we left California, Saturday morning, Uncle Bob had gone into a bank, and committed armed robbery with a firearm. The trip was really a cover for him to get out of town, and taking me with him, supported his alibi that he was preparing for a cross-country trip at the time of the burglary. Where he failed in his plan, was that he bought his disguise for the bank robbery at the sporting goods store right across the street from the bank he was going to rob. The police were looking at the surveillance tape to see if they could see the suspect enter the bank, but what they saw was Uncle Bob, entering the sporting goods store, then exiting, putting his mask on his head, which was a ski mask, then crossing the street. I always knew that Uncle Bob was a little odd, but I never dreamed that he would do something like this.

Digital photo taken by Marc Averette. Downtown Miami, Florida, showing Manhattanization 2/2/2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was the nervousness that Uncle Bob had displayed that caused officer Davenport to initially, run Uncle Bob’s information through the NCIC system. When he ran it, he discovered that Uncle Bob was wanted in California for armed robbery. He came back to the car, asked Uncle Bob to step out of the vehicle, and after asking him about the incident, officer Davenport arrested Uncle Bob.

Since Uncle Bob committed armed robbery with a firearm, what happened to him was that he was extradited to California, where he stood trial, and received a sentence of 13 years. The mandatory sentence for armed robbery is, five years for the initial robbery, with an additional eight years for using a firearm as his weapon. (Hardy, 2000)

References:

Foster, R.E. (2000). Police Technology. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall

Hardy, B.H. (2000). Imprisonment for Armed Robbery. OLR Research Report. Retrieved From the World Wide Web April 18, 2010. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2000/rpt/olr/htm/2000-R-0510.htm

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