NCJ Number
39279
Journal
Michigan Law Review Volume: 74 Issue: 8 Dated: (AUGUST 1976) Pages: 1512-1626
Date Published
1976
Length
115 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FENCE'S ROLE IN THE THEFT PROBLEM, IDENTIFYING VARIOUS THEFT AND FENCING OPERATIONS AND CITING INADEQUACIES IN EXISTING INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES AND THEFT AND RECEIVING LAWS.
Abstract
A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST COMMON MODERN FENCING SYSTEMS, THE 'NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTION,' THE OUTLET FENCE, THE PROFESSIONAL FENCE, THE MASTER FENCE, AND ORGANIZED CRIME SYNDICATE FENCING OPERATIONS - LEADS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT MOST SOPHISTICATED FENCES ARE FAR REMOVED FROM THOSE RECEIVERS WHO ARE OWNERS OF SEEDY PAWNSHOPS OR WHO INDISCRIMINATELY SELECT POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ON THE STREET, AND THUS POSE PECULIAR PROBLEMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. CHANGES IN THE LAW ARE PROPOSED AND APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT STRATEGIES ARE SUGGESTED TO FACILITATE THE DETECTION AND CONVICTION OF MODERN THEFT AND FENCING OPERATIONS. NEEDED CHANGES IN THE CIVIL LAW ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THROUGHOUT THE ARTICLE, REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE PROVISIONS OF A MODEL THEFT AND FENCING ACT SET FORTH IN THE APPENDIX. AN ANALYSIS OF UNIFORM CRIME REPORT STATISTICS ON STOLEN AND RECOVERED PROPERTY BETWEEN 1960 AND 1975 IS ALSO APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...ELW