Leaving the city clears Criminal status
Losing sight of a cop is not the same as clearing your role. In ROB RUN, you must leave the city to clear Criminal status; on your next entry, you can choose your role again. This is the central mechanic to plan around when figuring out ROB RUN how to escape police after a heist.
The official Looty Bay heist instructions establish the city-exit requirement. They do not describe a wanted timer that automatically removes Criminal status while you remain inside.
Scout a getaway before putting on the mask
Putting on a mask enables robberies in Looty Bay, but also exposes you to attacks from police and other criminals. The developer recommends checking the target building and your escape route before masking up.
Make that reconnaissance part of the heist, not a task you postpone until you are already carrying loot. Decide how you intend to leave the area and ultimately the city before starting. The official material does not identify one guaranteed exit, route, or vehicle that defeats every pursuer, so adapt to the map and players you encounter.
With teammates, split responsibilities between breaking in, moving loot, and providing cover. Clear responsibilities can help a crew carry out its plan without expecting everyone to handle every part of the robbery at once.
Reduce the chance of an alarm and protect your haul
During the heist, the official advice is to keep staff at gunpoint so they do not trigger the alarm. This supports your getaway plan, but it does not guarantee that police or rival players will never appear.
Death as a Criminal in Looty Bay costs your inventory, including the loot in your bag. That makes the departure decision important after a successful robbery: the goods you have collected are still exposed while you are trying to get out.
Do not confuse getting away from the immediate scene with becoming a Civilian. The role-clearing rule remains leaving the city and choosing again on a later entry.
Consider surrender or a bribe if escape breaks down
Surrender offers a different outcome from dying in a fight. Your bag contents are confiscated, but you keep equipped gear. If you have banked money, you can offer a cop a bribe; acceptance lets you keep your loot.
Those options address what you retain during a police encounter. They are not evidence that a bribe clears Criminal status, nor are they a guarantee that an officer will agree. Compare the belongings at stake with the choices actually available in the encounter.
FAQ
How do I clear Criminal status?
Leave the city. You can choose your role again the next time you enter.
Can I wait out Criminal status inside Looty Bay?
The official guide says leaving is required. It does not provide an automatic status-clearing timer inside the city.
What should I do before starting a robbery?
Scout the building and your getaway route before masking up. With a crew, divide the break-in, hauling, and cover tasks.
What can surrender save?
Ordinary surrender saves equipped gear but costs bag contents. If a cop accepts a bribe funded by bank money, you keep your loot.