Bank heists get bigger, bolder--just like movies

[Rich Hunt]

The stickup--the kind seen more often in movies than reality--was what authorities call a "takeover," the most dangerous form of bank robbery and a style that has become increasingly common in the Chicago area, placing customers and employees at greater risk.

In a year when the decade-old record for Chicago-area bank robberies was easily broken, more than a fifth of the 214 bank robberies so far this year have been takeovers, a proportion the FBI said is higher than in past years.

In 2003, there were 18, or 12 percent of all bank robberies. By 2004, the number had grown to 27, or 17 percent of the total. And the 45 recorded so far this year account for 21 percent.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0512200311dec20,1,1335702.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[shugah]

1. and the FBI can't figure it out!

"Although FBI officials have no explanation for this year's surge in bank robberies, past increases have been attributed to poor economic conditions, serial robbers and the expansion of bank branches into grocery stores and other less-secure retail environments."

maybe this years surge is due to "poor economic conditions, serial robbers and the expansion of bank branches into grocery stores and other less-secure retail environments." maybe? :shrug:

edit: typo

[Warpy]

2. My guess is that the 500 pounds of explosives stolen

here in NM may be headed for a vault job or two. It's really not enough to do more than a large car bomb unless the creeps who stole it really know what they're doing. It is enough to demolish a building, but only with a lot of precise drilling, placement and wiring.

They found the half ton of ammonium nitrate stolen last year stashed in a canyon, waiting for a buyer. I hope the same will happen with this. Either that, or it'll be a bank job...