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Aaaron Steensma on Store Security: Mindset Is Everything | April 20, 2025 (0 comments)
Gunter, TX--The interview room was cold—not just in temperature but in its entire atmosphere. The walls, stripped of any decoration or personal touch, bore a paint job that looked nearly as old as I was. The stark, sterile environment lacked warmth, reinforcing the weight of the moment. Every word spoken reverberated through the room, the sound bouncing back and forth as if unwilling to settle. It was approximately 2:30 in the morning when we finally entered the room, exhaustion weighing heavily on the air, yet the significance of the moment overshadowed any fatigue I felt.
I knew this would be one of the shortest yet most profound interviews of my career. Sitting across from me was not just any suspect—he was one of the most intelligent and elusive criminals I had ever encountered. His demeanor was composed, his presence commanding. The stakes were high, not only because of the crimes he had committed but because I sensed there was something deeper to uncover.
Why Did You Do It?
This interview would turn out to be one of the most respectful in-custody conversations I had ever conducted. As we settled in, I asked him a simple yet powerful question: “Why did you do it?”
This man did not fit the traditional profile of a burglar. He was highly intelligent, articulate, and in peak physical condition. Outwardly, he appeared to have all the makings of someone who should be thriving in society—yet here he was, on the opposite side of the law. His response was something I would never forget, even years after his case had been closed and his sentence served:
‘For need or for greed. Those are the only two reasons people steal anything’
As straightforward as his words were, they encapsulated the essence of theft in a way I had never considered before. This single sentence distilled the motivations of burglars, thieves, and criminals down to two fundamental drivers: necessity or desire. The simplicity and gravity of that statement altered the way I approached investigations from that point forward. It provided a framework not only for understanding the individuals I pursued but also for predicting and preventing crimes with a certain level of accuracy.
His insight shifted how I analyzed cases, especially when reviewing surveillance footage. I often began to notice clear distinctions between different types of criminals. There were those who abandoned their efforts the moment they encountered a security barrier—hesitant, unwilling to take on significant risk. Then, there were those who persisted despite the odds, pushing forward regardless of security measures in place.
It quickly became evident which type of criminal posed the greater challenge in terms of prevention and defense. The individual who steals out of "need" (a term I use loosely, given that we live in a society with vast opportunities) operates with a heightened sense of urgency. Their risk tolerance is substantially higher, and they are often willing to go to extreme lengths to avoid detection or capture. These individuals do not hesitate in the face of obstacles, making them particularly dangerous and difficult to deter.
Understanding Criminal Motivation
Understanding criminal motivation is not just a valuable tool for law enforcement—it is an essential consideration for businesses and individuals when developing security strategies. When implementing security measures, it is crucial to consider the mindset of the person attempting to breach those defenses. In the context of a robbery at a jewelry store, resistance is the worst course of action. In that moment, you may unwittingly force a confrontation that reveals the criminal’s true nature—a realization that may come too late to reverse.
During high-stress situations, (like a jewelry store robbery,) the human brain instinctively shifts into a fight, flight, or freeze response. This physiological reaction can significantly impact decision-making, often leading individuals to later report that they "froze" or felt as though they were in a daze. In some cases, they may even struggle to recall the events that transpired.
Remain Calm, Control Your Breathing
Learning to resist one’s natural reactions—by remaining calm, controlling one’s breathing, and focusing on safety—can make all the difference in a life-threatening situation. The ability to suppress an immediate emotional or physical response is not only critical for personal safety but also for the well-being of those around you. For example, if an individual decides to physically confront a robber under the assumption they can overpower them, the unintended consequence may be that someone in the jewelry store is injured or killed. Likewise, if a security officer is present, uncoordinated interference from bystanders could prevent them from effectively performing their job.
Maintaining composure during a crisis also has significant implications for post-incident investigations. A calm collected individual is more likely to retain accurate details, which can prove invaluable when providing eyewitness accounts to law enforcement. Heightened emotional distress and “tunnel vision”, can lead to fragmented memories, slowing the investigative process.
Employees will naturally revert to the training (or lack thereof) provided by their employer in moments of crisis. If no structured response plan is in place, not only is there potential for financial liability, but there is also the potential for unnecessary and tragic loss of life.
Prepare In Advance
Jewelers have a unique opportunity to prepare their employees in advance for how to respond to a robbery or critical incident. Which includes acknowledging that the most effective response is adhering to a comprehensive (and trained) written security plan.
Security planning extends beyond standard security equipment like cameras, alarms, and reinforced doors. It requires a comprehensive approach that considers the human element—both the motivations of the criminals and the psychological responses of those involved. Preparing a building for an attack is one thing; preparing the minds and bodies of those inside is another. Experiencing a criminal event can have lasting effects, and mental and emotional resilience are just as important as physical safety measures.
That early morning interview remains etched in my memory, not just as a significant moment in my career but as a profound lesson in understanding criminal behavior. It reinforced a fundamental truth: never assume you understand an attacker’s motivation. Misjudging their intent can have irreversible consequences. The best defense is not just robust security but a well-informed, strategic approach to crime prevention—one that acknowledges the complexities of human behavior and the true motivations behind unlawful acts.
Aaron Steensma is the President of Fortified Castle Consulting and a retired Police Detective in the North Dallas/Fort Worth area who specialized in residential and commercial burglary, theft, and robbery investigations. Fortified Castle Consulting is a company dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations through the development and implementation of robust security strategies aimed at crime prevention and threat mitigation. Fortified Castle Consulting owns The Castle Vault, a 256 bit encrypted, SOC 2cybersecurity compliant Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that allows users to safely store high-definition images and appraisals of valuable assets in a centralized online system. In the event of theft, natural disaster, or fire, users can easily download their stored data in PDF format and share it as needed. To reach Aaron, call (903) 207 0941 or email him at aaron@fortifiedcastleconsulting.com. For more information about Fortified Castle Consulting, please visit the website at www.fortifiedcastleconsulting.com.