During the third quarter of 2011, there were 1,094 reported violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statue, a decrease from the 1,325 reported violations in the same quarter of 2010. According to statistics from the FBI, there were 1,081 robberies, 11 burglaries, two larcenies, and one extortion of a financial institution reported between July 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011. Interestingly, more banks now use security video for forensics when it comes to robberies.
Highlights of the report include:
- Loot was taken in 89 percent of the incidents, totaling more than $9.3 million.
- Of the loot taken, 25 percent (or more than $1.9 million) was recovered and returned to financial institutions.
- Bank crimes most frequently occurred on Fridays. Regardless of the day, the time frame when bank crimes occurred most frequently was between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- Acts of violence were committed in 5 percent of the incidents, resulting in 18 injuries, three deaths, and four persons taken hostage.
- Demand notes were the most common modus operandi used.
- Most violations occurred in the Western region of the U.S., with 375 reported incidents.
For more information, go to www.fbi.gov.
Security Devices Maintained by Victim Institutions
Alarm System 1,069
Surveillance Cameras 1,084
Bait Money 672
Tear Gas/Dye Packs 262
Electronic Tracking 145
Bullet-Resistant Enclosures 173
Guards 55
Source: The Federal Bureau of Investigation
