July 29, 08

NEWS / Fourth Quarter Bank Robbery Statistics Show Slight Uptick

Statistics released recently by the FBI show a minor increase in the number of reported bank robberies for the fourth quarter of 2007. The figures show there were 1,561 robberies of financial institutions* from October through December, or 31 more robberies than occurred during the third quarter of 2007. Forty-eight burglaries and larcenies were also reported, which combined with the robberies, reflected a total of 1,609 violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statute.

“While more sophisticated crimes, such as computer intrusions and identity theft, seem to have pervaded the landscape in recent years, bank robberies can still take a serious financial toll on our communities,” said Deputy Assistant Director Daniel D. Roberts, FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “We work closely with our state and local partners through our Violent Crime Task Forces around the country to leverage our collective resources in investigating these crimes.”

Some key findings presented in the report include:

* Of the 1,561 robberies, a note was used in 870 incidents; a firearm was used in 447 incidents; and robbers threatened the use of a weapon in 1,191 incidents.
* In more than 90 percent of the cases, the suspects fled the scene with loot.
* Most violations occurred on Fridays. Regardless of the day of the week, violations between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. were the most common. The fewest incidents took place on Sundays.
* The vast majority of the crimes began at the teller window or counter.
* During the incidents occurring during the quarter, 18 hostages were taken.
* A total of 21 people were injured during robberies, 10 of which were bank employees.
* No law enforcement officers were killed during this reporting period, but four perpetrators were killed while robbing banks.

View the detailed report and learn more about the FBI at www.fbi.gov.

* Financial institutions include commercial banks, mutual savings banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions.

Source: http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel08/bankstats072808.htm