CARJACKING AWARENESS AND GUIDELINES

Background

Car jacking is a form of robbery. It is the “theft or attempted theft of a vehicle

by force or threat of force”. In the U.S. for example there are over 20,000
reported cases of carjacking yearly. This number represents only a small
fraction of the number of vehicles stolen world-wide in countries where GE
personnel live and work. Quarterly crime reporting by US Regional Security
Departments indicates that carjacking is on the rise worldwide. Africa, South
and Central America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East lead this category.

Field reporting has established that nearly 25 per cent of carjacking victims
are injured. Most attempts (over 50%) are successful. The majority of
incidents involve weapons of some kind. In many incidents, victim injuries
may have been avoided if the victim had a better understanding of the
attack. In carjacking overseas, recovery of the vehicle is rare.

Motivations for carjacking will vary from country to country, however three of
the most common are:

 Criminal Enterprise
 Economic Reasons
 Political or Terrorist

Criminal Enterprise
The criminal element may plan to sell the vehicle in whole or part locally or
internationally. Some criminal elements operate with complicity of local
police, military, or customs officials.

Economical
In poverty-ridden countries where social and economic conditions offer few
opportunities for increasing numbers of young unemployed men, stealing has
become an easy and effective method of making quick cash, or acquiring
transportation.

Political or Terrorist
Terrorists may commit carjacking to focus on what they perceive as unjust
treatment by a government or corporate practice. They will use it to:

 Undermine public confidence in the government or security services

 Use vehicles for terrorist operations.

Tactics

The tactics employed by carjackers may vary, however as a guide:

 They are usually armed

 They usually do not act alone

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  Normally, they are only interested in the vehicle
 Numbers are higher where police are ineffective

In many countries weapons of choice are normally dictated by existing

conditions and availability. Carjackers have used:

 Handguns
 Knives
 Rocket Propelled Grenades
 Assault rifles (such as the AK-47) and/or shotguns
 Machetes
 Mace

The number of attackers varies according to conditions and geographic

region, however:

 1-2 persons could be opportunistic with criminal implications

 3 or more could be para-military or criminal gangs.

Larger groups tend to use military-style tactics. The attack could be

stationary or moving. It could be in the form of a motorcade-style ambush
with an additional security element to watch for police, witnesses, or to
ensure the escape route is clear.

In most reported cases, carjackers were only interested in the vehicles - not
the occupants.
Victims who displayed non-resistive behavior were usually not injured.
Victims who displayed resistive behavior were sometimes injured or killed.

Recommendations:

 Once your vehicle is stopped by armed persons, do not resist

 Thieves usually only want your car and money and will avoid harming
you
 Any resistance on your part could incite them to violence.

Most reported carjacking occurs during hours of darkness. Locations vary

depending upon the effectiveness of the local police, social-economic
conditions, and availability of weapons.

When selecting a carjack site the attacker will consider:

 Sequence of Attack
 Site selection
 Target selection
 Initiation of the attack
 Escape

DRAFT
Carjackers do not want to get caught. Not withstanding opportunistic crimes,
carjackers will select an attack site which lessens the likelihood that he/she
will be apprehended or identified.

Favorable areas:

 High crime areas

 Lesser traveled roads (rural areas)
 Junctions where you have to stop
 Isolated areas of parking lots
 Residential driveways/gates
 Traffic jams or congested areas with no avenues of escape for the
victim.

Ideal attack sites:

 The target vehicle has stopped or is isolated

 Attempts to commandeer the vehicle will not be interfered with
 There is an avenue of escape for the carjacker.

Other critical areas:

 Sharp curves or series of curves

 Bridges
 Parking lots - static targets with victims outside their vehicles.
 Areas where there is restricted vehicle movement
 Areas where a large volume of traffic provide many targets
 Any area through which you pass on a regular basis – predictability
becomes a choke point.
 Traffic Jams - attackers could approach from a roadside vantage point.
Police would have difficulties responding through congestion.

Target Selection & Scenarios

In Criminal and Economic attacks, carjackers usually target expensive

vehicles such as prestige cars, 4x4 SUVs or sport cars. They are also more
likely to victimize female drivers than male.

Non-descript vehicle carjacking has increased. These vehicles were used by

the attacker(s) to conduct another carjacking somewhere else. The vehicle is
often abandoned after another carjacking is performed.

Attack Scenarios
Based on overseas reporting, attack scenarios can be placed into eight
categories:

 The Bump
 Good Samaritan

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  Commandeering
 The Trap
 Roadblock
 Moving roadblock
 Ambush
 Ruse

The Bump: The attacker will bump the victim’s vehicle from behind. When
the victim gets out to survey the damage and exchange information the
vehicle is taken.

Good Samaritan: The attacker(s) stage what appears to be an accident.

They may simulate an injury. Once the Good Samaritan has stopped to assist,
the vehicle is taken.

Commandeering: Usually occurs when the victim’s vehicle is stopped. The

attackers approach the vehicle, force an entry and normally throw the victim
out. It usually involves a weapon of some kind.

Useful Tips:

 Be aware of parked vehicles in secluded areas with occupants

 The vehicles are usually parked illegally or on the wrong side of the
road
 Avoid going by them or pass them at a high rate of speed

The Trap: Carjackers conduct surveillance then follow the intended victim
into a driveway or apartment garage. They block the victim’s escape with
their vehicle. The driver is then forced out.

Roadblock: The attackers select an ideal attack site where the roadway can
be blocked with objects. When the victim’s vehicle stops, it is
commandeered. This will usually occur in an isolated spot.

Moving Roadblock: Attackers use their vehicles to surround the target

vehicle. The victim is followed and at an ideal attack site the attackers pull in
front and behind, then brake suddenly forcing the victim to stop. Attacks
usually take place in remote or desolate areas.

Useful Tips:

 If two cars attempt to hem you in and you fear for your safety, Drive
Aggressively to escape
 If necessary sound your horn to alert passersby that you are in need of
assistance
 Contact the GE Energy Security Team as soon as possible once clear of
the incident

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The Ambush: Usually conducted in isolated rural areas and the attackers are
likely to be armed. One armed attacker on the roadway flags down the
vehicle whilst the remaining attackers stay concealed until the victim is
static.

The Ruse: These attackers use some form of trickery to get you out of the
vehicle or to make you stop. Examples are: a vehicle behind you flashes its
lights indicating they want you to stop; someone tries to tell you that you
have a mechanical problem and that you need to stop; someone feigns an
emergency and asks you for a lift; someone places a leaflet on your car
windscreen forcing you to get out and remove it before driving off.

Useful Tips:

 Be wary of strangers who try to stop you by indicating that something

is wrong with your car - It could be a trick.
 Don’t give lifts to strangers.
 Search your vehicle before you get into it.
 If a leaflet is stuck on your car, try to drive off and remove it later in a
safer area.

Countermeasures

Avoidance and Prevention are time tested methods to elude victimization.

Don’t become a victim:

Have a Plan:
 Know where you are going before you depart
 Ensure your vehicle is in good running condition
 Have plenty of fuel in the tank

Know your surroundings:

 You are less vulnerable if you know your way around
 Familiarize yourself with local streets
 Know the location of your safe havens
 Plan your activities so you are familiar with the areas where you plan to
visit

Avoid High Crime areas:

 Avoid high crime areas by day and night
 Plan your routes so you do not inadvertently drive into dangerous
areas
 Always watch for surveillance

Know likely Danger Areas:

 Avoid isolated parts of parking lots, shopping areas, busy intersections,
congested traffic circles, and isolated short cuts

DRAFT
  At intersections, keep your eyes moving from rearview mirror to the
area around your vehicle

Heighten your Security Awareness:

 Travel with your windows up and doors locked
 Leave yourself room between vehicles when stopped in traffic – be able
to see where the vehicle in front’s tires touch the road
 Park in secure, well lit areas
 Do not stop to assist strangers
 Carry your cell phone with you with emergency numbers on speed-dial
 Try not to drive alone in higher risk areas
 Separate your house keys from your ignition keys
 If something feels wrong or looks suspicious, drive to the Embassy or
other safe haven

Options if Carjacked

During any terrorist or criminal attack there are basically two options:

 Non-resistive, non-confrontational behavior

 Resistive or confrontational behavior

Remember, the objective here is to “SURVIVE”

There are factors to be considered if faced with a decision to be

confrontational or non-confrontational (fight or flight). You must weigh the
advantages and disadvantages of non-resistive or resistive behavior. You will
not have time to this when actually confronted so play the "What if” game
whilst driving to help you be prepared.

Considerations:

Types of Environment:
 Urban or rural
 Isolated or well populated
 Day time or darkness
 Proximity to the Embassy or safe haven
 High crime area
 Is there an avenue of escape

Violence of Force:
 Is the attacker alone
 Is the attacker armed
 What kind of weapon: knife, handgun, rifle
 What is the mental state of the attacker(s)
 Can you flee safely

Your Capabilities:

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  Are you alone; do you have children with you
 Are you armed and what is the possibility of collateral damage to
innocent bystanders
 Your mental state

Non-Confrontational behavior
Statistics show that victims who do not resist are usually not injured. If in this
situation try to remember:
 Keep your hands in plain sight
 Do not make furtive movements
 Don’t overtly stare - the only good witness is a dead witness

Technical Devices
There are several devices commercially available designed to foil vehicle
thefts, however, devices DO NOT prevent carjacking. Be aware, devices may
anger the attackers who’ll take their frustration out on you – have a plan in
advance.

Conclusion

More than half of all carjackings are successful. Only one quarter of the
victims are injured and the majority of the incidents involve weapons.

Reports suggest that most carjackers have only been interested in the
vehicle. You should consider the advantages and disadvantages of non-
resistive or resistive behavior. Know your safe havens and remember the
object is to survive. Develop a keen sense of security awareness so as not to
become a target in the first place.

“When you are hungry it is foolish to hunt a tiger when there are plenty of
sheep to be had.”

DRAFT