With a rash of armed robberies in town over the past month, the Fort Frances OPP is working to educate local store owners as to what they can do to avoid being targeted for theft—and how to cope if they are.
“Basically, what we’re doing is going businesses to business and providing them with some tips,” said Cst. Caroline Spencer, Community Services officer for the Fort Frances OPP.
“How can you prevent a robbery? What do you do in the event of a robbery? What do you look for? How much money do you have in the till? These are the things we want people to keep in mind,” she added.
“In a robbery situation, especially those involving a gun, it’s very stressful. You might not even remember your own name,” Cst. Spencer noted. “Through this information, we can hopefully lessen the shock if they are robbed.
“Most importantly, we don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
The best way to deal with a robbery is to prevent it in the first place, if at all possible, said Cst. Spencer.
Here’s some tips to help discourage being victimized:
•Install an alarm and a surveillance camera behind the cash register, facing the front counter. Replace videotapes regularly.
•Have at least two employees open and close the business.
•Keep a low balance in the register, and place excess money in a safe or deposit it as soon as possible.
•Consider the use of “bait money” in all registers. Record the series, serial numbers, and denominations of a small amount of bills. In the event of a robbery, give these bills to the robber so they can be traced.
•Use only one register at night, and leave other ones open to show they contain no money.
•Stay alert, give every customer a greeting, and look them in the eyes. Giving potential robbers such attention can discourage them.
•Watch for people who hang around without buying anything, and be aware of any suspicious activity outside the business.
•Write down licence plate numbers of suspicious vehicles if visible from inside your business.
•Keep the business well lit both inside and out, and leave blinds/drapes partially open during closing hours.
< *c>What to do
< *c>if it happens
In the event of a robbery, remain calm. Co-operate with the robber for your own safety and the safety of others. Don’t fight back.
If your business has a silent alarm, and you can activate it without being noticed, do so.
Look at the culprit and take “mental notes” of details, such as height, weight, speech, clothing, or distinctive details like scars or tattoos.
Look at the weapon, and try to remember its size, type, and colour.
Watch what the robbers touch so that it can be preserved for evidence.
And look to see where the robber goes once he/she leaves the store. Make a note of any vehicle they get into, including make, model, colour, and licence plate, if at all possible.
< *c>What to do afterwards
After a robbery, do not hesitate to call the police—even if the culprit has threatened you (hesitate only long enough to ensure your safety and then call immediately).
In Rainy River District, the emergency number for the OPP is 1-888-310-1122.
Lock the business and ask any witnesses to stay until police arrive. Don’t touch anything the robber may have touched.
As soon as possible, write down a description of the criminal, their vehicle, and any other relevant information.
Protect the crime scene by keeping customers and other employees from the area in the store where the robbery occurred. And don’t discuss the crime with anyone until police interview you.
As reported in yesterday’s Daily Bulletin, Einar’s Foods was held up at gunpoint Monday afternoon—the third such robbery in Fort Frances since last Wednesday night.
Just before 4 p.m., a male suspect entered Einar’s, located at 610 Scott St., brandished a handgun, and demanded money from the clerk.
The suspect left the store on foot with no money.
The suspect was described as being about 5’5”, with a dark complexion. He was wearing a dark toque, camouflage scarf, and dark winter clothing, and was carrying a camouflage duffle bag.
Anyone who may have seen this suspect in the areas of Scott Street or First Street East, or has any other information regarding this crime, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest of offenders.
Rainy Lake Sports and Tackle, located on Colonization Road East, was robbed at gunpoint last Thursday night—a day after Sparky’s Confectionery on Second Street East was hit.
Sparky’s also was held up back on Dec. 4—the same evening a male suspect had tried to rob Franko’s Grocery on Sixth Street East but fled without getting any money.
The crime spree began Sept. 22 when a suspect fitting the same description held up the East End Confectionery on Scott Street brandishing a black handgun.
He was given an undisclosed amount of cash and then fled the store on foot.
Fort Frances OPP is being assisted by the OPP’s Northwest Criminal Investigations Unit in this investigation.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
