Robbery of Older Adults: A Descriptive Analysis Using the National Incident-Based Reporting System

Abstract

National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data from nine states were used to develop a descriptive profile of the violent crime of robbery committed against older adults (age 65 or older). In 1996 there were 11,117 noncommercial robbery incidents and 12,700 robbery victims in the NIBRS database. Almost 95% of robbery victims were age 64 or younger and slightly more than 5% of robbery victims were age 65 or older. When it was listed as one of the offenses committed during a violent incident, robbery was almost always the most serious offense committed against victims. A few victims were robbed and murdered and some victims were raped and robbed. Most robbery victims who were age 85 or older were robbed at home, but most adults age 65–74 were robbed when performing routine activities outside of the home. When robbed, older adults (age 65 or older) were more likely to die or sustain serious physical injury than were individuals age 64 or younger. Females who were age 65 or older and males who were age 64 or younger were more likely to sustain serious physical injury when confronted by multiple offenders than were females age 64 or younger or males age 65 or older. Although adults age 65 or older are the least likely age group to become victims of violent crime, we found that male Caucasians age 65 or older were robbed more often than individuals in any other age or racial group.