The study used information from the 1980 census and from police records on convenience store robberies that occurred between January 1981 and December 1984. The data were analyzed by means of multivariate statistical methods. Results revealed that environmental factors are not important predictors of whether a convenience store is robbed. However, the parking lot size, degree of social disorganization surrounding the store, the number of hours open, and whether gasoline service is provided are significant in determining the severity of the robbery. Findings suggested that offenders may not be uniform in their determination of what constitutes vulnerability. Results also indicated that if novice offenders are unable to differentiate between high-risk and low-risk targets, then primary prevention strategies based on indirect controls such as symbolic barriers and surveillance may not be totally effective in deterring crime. Tables, notes, and 76 references (Author abstract modified)