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Author Topic: Theatre robberies System Notices Forum Watchdog / Soup Nazi Posts: 215 Registered: Apr 2004 posted 12-30-2004 12:24 AM                 It has been 828 days since the last post.  |  IP: Logged R. Andrew Diercks Expert Film Handler Posts: 232 From: Marion, Iowa (In the middle of everywhere) Registered: May 2003 posted 12-30-2004 12:24 AM                     Might as well re-open this topic, I was robbed last night. Not a fun experience at all, the bastard stole my car too. That was left very close by though.  |  IP: Logged Cory Isemann Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 500 From: White Plains, MD, USA Registered: Jun 2004 posted 12-30-2004 12:13 PM                        Dude.. that sucks! Nobody was hurt, I hope. Have they caught them?  |  IP: Logged R. Andrew Diercks Expert Film Handler Posts: 232 From: Marion, Iowa (In the middle of everywhere) Registered: May 2003 posted 12-30-2004 01:45 PM                     Nobody caught yet. This guy was very professional, obviously done this before. Nobody was hurt but I have some pretty shaken up employees. Myself and six others were put on the floor in the office. He then took me with him when he left. They all thought I was kidnapped but he never forced me to enter the car, just put the key in for him. Pretty scary I'm a little freaked to drive my car now, it's pretty distinctive and has vanity plates.  |  IP: Logged Jason Black Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1723 From: Myrtle Beach, SC, USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 12-30-2004 02:40 PM                        Man... Glad to hear you'r OK other than the drawers.... Hope they catch and brun the MOFO who did this... Dont' worry about driving your car... this idiot probably couldn't identify it again if he/she tried... Hope the police make quick work and get the 'perp'. Quick results serve as a future deterrent to others who may 'think' about something so stupid.  |  IP: Logged Thomas Procyk Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1842 From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 12-30-2004 06:35 PM                     Glad to hear you're ok. You never know with those kinds of people. Some of them are drunk enough or coked up enough to do just about anything and worry about it later. Were there security cameras in the building? You're probably still shaken up so I won't ask for details, but it sounds like he was armed. Scary indeed!! =TMP=  |  IP: Logged David Yauch Expert Film Handler Posts: 206 From: Mesa, AZ, USA Registered: Oct 2004 posted 12-31-2004 01:25 AM                     Glad to hear you are ok, that must have been really traumatizing. Hopefully they catch him quick, and you can start to put this behind you.  |  IP: Logged R. Andrew Diercks Expert Film Handler Posts: 232 From: Marion, Iowa (In the middle of everywhere) Registered: May 2003 posted 12-31-2004 04:00 PM                     I hope they catch the SOB too, but I don't think they will. He'll get cautght somewhere that is smart enough to have cameras. On the plus side, we will probably finally get some. We had to look at photo line up yesterday but I don't think any of us indentified anyone. I am changing a few things that will hopefully reduce exposure. How to you folks transfer money from box/conc. to count it for the eve. My concern is that it's pretty obvious where we go with drawers/bags so naturally the safe would be in there too. I have expressed my opinion on this long before this ever occurred, but now its pressing. I'm not really shook up about it at all, but I have a couple employees that I am encouraging to seek counseling. My education is actually in Police Science so maybe that's why I stayed very calm. We did a lot of very realistic drills in college. I got more angry than scared. Especially when he was kicking me to go open the safe. Our policy and the smart thing to do is comply and give the money, but I was seriously pissed and wanted to rush him. Now I'm very glad I used restraint and everyone is fine. My staff tells me I was even a bit of a smart ass to him, but that was not my intent.  |  IP: Logged Jeff Eisentraut Film Handler Posts: 17 From: Hillsboro, Illinois USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 12-31-2004 08:39 PM                     Andrew, I am sorry to hear about your incident. What happened to you sounds eerily similar to an incident which happened to me around 1983. I was manager of the Fleur Four theatres in Des Moines (Dubinsky). The guy waited in the lobby until we closed the boxoffice then forced the assistant manager to open the office. Made everybody get on the floor. Held a big gun to my head and made me open the safe. This was my third robbery at that time so I was pretty cool. If I had been packing, I would have killed him for the way he scared the young staff. He got caught about a week later after doing the same thing at a restaurant. He also raped a girl that night. I wonder if he recently got out of prison??? Anyway, I assume you work for Bob Fridley. I worked for him many years and really respect him. Please give my regards when you see him next. Jeff Eisentraut  |  IP: Logged David Yauch Expert Film Handler Posts: 206 From: Mesa, AZ, USA Registered: Oct 2004 posted 01-01-2005 02:29 AM                     quote: R. Andrew Diercks I am changing a few things that will hopefully reduce exposure. How to you folks transfer money from box/conc. to count it for the eve. My concern is that it's pretty obvious where we go with drawers/bags so naturally the safe would be in there too. I have expressed my opinion on this long before this ever occurred, but now its pressing. That is a tough one, since anyone looking hard enough will know where you are taking your money. I would work on making the area in which you count your money more secure, even if it means purchasing an electromagnetic lock with a key and a door code required to access it. That's also a very nice way to give people keys without giving them full access. Don't hand out a code unless you are positive you can trust them. If that's not feasible at the time then at the very least install some cameras, and make sure everyone carrying money is escorted by at least one person at all times. I think the most important thing is to give off the image that security is important. If customers are seeing security cameras pop up after many years, and cash is being escorted by 2 people minimum at all times, they'll assume that there have been improvements with the safe as well. If it's an inside job, then there isn't much advice, except maybe the door codes so they KNOW that they will be caught. That's also why keeping your door code a secret is so important here. No one knows mine except my GM who put it into the system, and it will stay that way. Edit: I guess I should add that obviously if it's a hostage situation, just give in, because no one is worth that money.  |  IP: Logged Thomas Procyk Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1842 From: Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA Registered: Feb 2002 posted 01-01-2005 02:26 PM                     A few places I've worked have used code or slang when talking about money changing hands at any time. It's hard to come up with something and share it since the perps can find out via an "inside job" but for the added security it's not a bad idea. One theater used a "toolbox" as an analogy for getting change to concession or the box office. They would call over the walkie talkie, "I need the toolbox in box office please. We need the 5 inch screwdriver." Which would mean the box office needs $5's, etc. The money/change was kept in an actual locked toolbox which the manager would carry to the box office. To the public, it just looks/sounds like something broke. Anything is better than what some managers do, like carry wads of bills out in the open or worse -- on a TRAY!! Free sample anyone? The only time this would be a problem is if someone actually needed the real toolbox. =TMP=  |  IP: Logged Mark Hajducki Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 500 From: Edinburgh, UK Registered: May 2003 posted 01-01-2005 06:31 PM                     The site I used to work in had a cash pod system for the transfer of change/ cash drops round the building. (a good idea except that it didn't work dependably). However much cash was carried through the building unescorted (the box office was as far away from the cash office room as posisble) which negated any benifit from the use of the pod system. Also most staff (in box) were too busy to make regular cash drops during their shifts. I have seen some of the local banks using automated cash dispensors under the counter (which issue and receive notes) to minimise the risk to the staff (whilst allowing them to have more customer contact). Does anybody know how practable these would be in a cinema setting (or how they get emptied/filled to a secure location)?  |  IP: Logged R. Andrew Diercks Expert Film Handler Posts: 232 From: Marion, Iowa (In the middle of everywhere) Registered: May 2003 posted 01-02-2005 11:31 AM                     David, I agree that making our count room more secure would help, I would like an upstairs office harder for customers to access. My fear is that if something should go down like this did such that someone held an employee at gunpoint until we let them in, I would definately let them in. I just want the appearance of extra security measures and the lack of appearance of money in the lobby.  |  IP: Logged David Yauch Expert Film Handler Posts: 206 From: Mesa, AZ, USA Registered: Oct 2004 posted 01-03-2005 04:36 AM                     Certainly, Andrew. Like I mentioned towards the end, no one in their right mind would refuse to open the door in a hostage situation. The best idea I can think of at the time for you would be trying to get those cameras, and you could always see if you could find(or "acquire") some stickers advertising a time-lock safe as a deterrent. Only a thief who had inside knowledge would know that a hostage situation would be beneficial. I'm not sure where you work, but it sounds like someone somewhere doesn't want to spend too much money, so you'll just have to be creative. Banning any conversations about money over the radios is essential. Also, drain registers as often as you can, and take up any unused drawers as soon as possible. Money should never go unescorted, and it's always good to see if the local cops will come patrol your parking lot on a regular basis. It really is in their best interest to take a couple minutes to drive through every now and then, then to have to deal with a robbery, and waste money and manpower looking for a robber. Pester whoever has the power to spend money on cameras CONSTANTLY with whatever guilt-tripping abilities you may possess. Also, don't let employees go downstairs after hours alone in any situation. A great advantage to cameras is that you will be able to see whats going on before you open that door, so even if it's just a quick hang-up call to 911 you can at least prepare in some way. Whatever you do, don't paint squirtguns black and give them to floorstaff, not that you were considering it. Contrary to popular belief this doesn't really deter anyone smarter than a doorknob, and is likely to get someone shot.  |  IP: Logged Mark Hajducki Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 500 From: Edinburgh, UK Registered: May 2003 posted 01-03-2005 12:43 PM                     If you do use an upstairs (or through the back) room as a cash office make sure that the route from the foyer is as safe as possible. It is not good to have to carry the cash through the main cinema corridor where there are lots of hiding places. If you have trouble getting CCTV installed in the cash handeling areas will you have trouble getting the route to the cash office covered.  |  IP: Logged

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