Retail Theft
Store Burglaries and Robberies
As a retail store owner, your profits can disappear in a heartbeat if you become a burglary or robbery victim. We answer a few basic questions about burglaries and robberies.
Burglary and robbery constitute a major problem for retailers.
If you own a retail store and want to learn more about protecting your store, here are answers to a few simple questions about store burglaries and store robberies.
Q. What's the Difference Between Burglary and Robbery?
Burglary is any unlawful entry to commit a felony or a theft, even though no force is used to gain entrance.
Robbery is stealing or taking anything of value by force, violence or threat.
Q. When Are Burglary and Robbery Crime Usually Committed?
Law enforcement agencies are often (in approximately 25% of burglary cases) unable to determine the time store burglaries occurred. However, generally speaking, store burglars usually operate at night and they seek out dark and easy-to-enter stores.
Store robbers often strike at opening or closing time when cash is sometimes on display. Some more robbers will rob a store whenever customer traffic is light.
Q. Are Most Burglars and Robbers Caught and Arrested?
No. Very few burglars are caught. According to crime statistics, almost 80 percent of burglaries go unsolved.
There are usually no witnesses or evidence to identify the criminal so arrest and prosecution of burglars is very difficult.
Identification and arrest of robbers is also rare. Only about one third of the robberies in the United States are solved. Unfortunately, even if the robber is brought to justice, it is very rare for any of the stolen cash or property to be recovered.
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