A dealer's hotel room was burglarized during the recent Tinley Park Coin show. The dealer and an employee completed setting up their table and left the show and walked to their hotel room that was connected to the convention center. The employee was pulling a roller bag similar to those that normally contain coins. The dealer and employee dropped off the bag and went out to dinner.
Upon returning to their room they observed that the door had been pried open and the only thing missing was the roller bag. The suspect or suspects had used what appeared to be a crow bar to gain entry into the hotel room. The roller bag contained laptops, business papers and a small amount of cash, no coins.
The police were summoned and a crime scene search was conducted. A hotel representative advised the victim this was the first burglary to occur on the property. Although this may have been an isolated event dealers should maintain a tactical mindset at all times.
Tactical Notes
The offense occurred on set-up day and provided the suspect or suspects the opportunity to observe the dealers movements.
The hotel adjoins the Convention Center and provides the suspect/suspects with the ability to blend in to activities around the coin show and hotel.
Set-up day is often busy and provides opportunities for distractions.
Dealers leaving a show with roller bags, pelican cases etc., may indicate to criminals you are carrying inventory to your room or vehicle.
Do not have tunnel vision leaving a show look around and identify any suspicious persons or suspicious activity while waking to your hotel or vehicle.
If going to your hotel identify any suspicious persons in the lobby. When proceeding to the elevator conduct a 360 degree visual to determine if you are being followed. Once you are on the elevator make mental notes of individuals inside with you. Upon exiting the elevator step to the side and let any others exit before you go directly to your room. Look up and down the hallway for suspicious persons or activity.
Walk past your room to the end of the hall and walk back. This provides you the opportunity to see if anyone is watching you, lingering in the hallway or peering out the stairwell exit door.
Do not take coins to your room if you plan on going out for the evening.
If you take coins to your room make sure you identify any person who comes to your door before it is opened.
Maintaining a tactical mindset reduces your chances of becoming a numismatic crime victim.
Doug Davis
Founder/President
817-723-7231
Doug
@
numismaticcrimes.
org
Posted 09/16/2015 1:45 pm
