Robbery and theft of mail
Monthly maps of robbery and theft of mail in Minnetonka
Robbery
There are two main categories of robbery under Minnesota lawsimple robbery and aggravated robbery.
Simple Robbery
In simple robbery, the assailant takes personal property from the person or in the presence of another and uses or threatens the imminent use of force against any person to overcome the person's resistance or powers of resistance to, or to compel acquiescence in, the taking or carrying away of the property.
Aggravated Robbery
The assailant, while committing aggravated robbery, is armed with a dangerous weapon; implies, by word or act, possession of a dangerous weapon; possesses any article used or fashioned in a manner that leads the victim to believe it to be a dangerous weapon; and/or inflicts bodily harm upon another.
Prevention tips for individuals
- Be aware of your surroundings, and keep an alert eye when traveling alone at night. Try to stay in well-lit areas.
- Report suspicious people to the police.
- Prevention tips for business owners
- Install alarms with a panic switch that can be triggered discreetly during a holdup.
- Strategically position cameras in the store to capture a clear image of the assailant, and make your surveillance system well known by posting signs.
- Arrange for employees to be accompanied while performing tasks such as taking out garbage or depositing money.
- Arrange the cash register area so it is clearly visible from the street.
- If you are robbed, mentally record as much information about the assailant as you can, including, race, age, height, weight, build, clothing, and any other descriptive factors.
- Active resistance to an armed criminal is generally not advised.
- Call police immediately.
Prevention tips for businesses
- Be aware of suspicious behavior such as people lurking or occupied vehicles in the parking lot; suspects may scope out an area prior to committing a crime.
- Avoid having excessive cash available in the business.
- During a robbery, focus on personaly safety; follow the suspect’s instructions.
- Be a good witness—look for identifying features (gender, height, race, age, footwear, jewelry, tattoos/scars).
- Protect evidence—do not touch surfaces the suspect may have touched, keep demand notes or any items the suspect may have dropped or thrown.
- Observe the suspect’s escape—note direction of travel, license plate and description of the vehicle.
Theft of Mail
Mail theft is the unauthorized removal of mail from any postal approved mail receptacle. Theft of mail can occur when a person puts outgoing mail in their mailbox or after mail has been delivered to the mailbox. Theft of mail occurs throughout the city of Minnetonka.
Prevention tips
- Never use your mailbox to post outgoing mail. Deposit mail in a blue collection box or inside your local post office.
- Try to retrieve incoming mail as soon after delivery as possible.
- Purchase a locked mailbox or convert your unlocked box to the lockable type.
- Arrange for your mail to be delivered to a Post Office box for a small fee.
- Have payroll checks deposited into your bank account via direct deposit.
- Notify the post office and mailers if you change your address. When going on vacation, have the post office hold your mail or have a trusted friend or neighbor pick up your mail after delivery.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately to report suspicious people or vehicles hanging around mailboxes.
- Be a good witness and take note of the make, model and license plate of any suspicious vehicle and a description of the occupants, and report this information to the police.
