Bank Robberies from a bankers viewpoint.

[Intrigue]

First: These are not trade secrets. Anyone can find this information out, anywhere. I'm open for questions, but due to bank security, I won't answer questions which will put any bank at risk. Second: People who rob banks are stupid, and generally VERY desperate people. Most of the time, a robber gets away with less than $5,000, and most bank robbers get caught. Is it really worth $5,000 to lose your freedom for that long? Anyway... Let's proceed.

Some of you may know, I am a banker. The job has relatively few risks, except for our teller staff, which is always at risk for robbery.

Recently, an M&T bank located next to one of our branches was robbed at gunpoint. A bank in Chicago was robbed a little while ago, and a 23 year old teller was killed.

Bank robberies are a serious threat, and I want to go over the four types of bank robberies with everyone, and how they usually play out.

I'd like to hear your input on how you would react if confronted with this type situation as a customer.

Most banks teach tellers to do whatever the robber says, avoid confrontation, etc. However, I wish I could help that girl in Chicago, who followed her training, handed over the money, and for whatever reason, that slimebag shot and killed her.

Anyway, here are the main types of robberies. I'm putting them in the order they happen most.


1. Note Passer: This is the most common type of robbery. The robber slips the teller a note demanding money. Sometimes it will specify bill types, instruct not to ring the alarm, etc. Generally there is very little confrontation in this robbery, to the point where customers usually don't know the bank was even robbed.

2. Morning Glory: Customers usually don't see this type of robbery. A robber will wait until the opening staff gets to the bank, and force his way in as they unlock the doors. He will then force the opening staff to unlock the vault, teller drawers, etc and steal the money. These can be very violent, terrifying for employees, and sometimes fatal.

3. Armed Robbery: In this type of robbery, one or more robbers pull a gun/knife/etc on the employee and force them to hand over the cash. An example would be the recent M&T robbery near where I live. Unfortunately, this resulted in that poor girls death. This robbery can be absolutely terrifying for every person inside the bank, from tellers, to customers, to the branch manager.

4. Armed Takeover: In this type of robbery, multiple robbers walk into a bank with weapons, and takeover the bank. This differs from armed robbery as the robbers actually take control of the bank, rather than just get in/get out. A takeover is the most typical type of robbery seen in movies, however it is the rarest in real life.

I'm most interested in hearing your thoughts on #3 and #4. While rare, these types of robberies are the types that will have a lasting impact on bank customers, employees, and anyone involved.

My advice would be: do not get involved. As I've said, bank robbers are desperate, scared people. There is a "Bankers-Only" website that I read a lot about robberies. I've heard of old women robbing banks to pay for their grandkid's surgery, I've heard of people robbing banks to pay off gambling debts. Most of the time, they see it as an easy way to get some cash to help them out, and most of the time they get caught, and spend very serious time in jail.

There are however, those few people who just don't care, and who will not hesitate to kill a manager, teller, or customer to get everything they want.

Again, I'm open for questions, even if they are not bank robbery related (I enjoy giving banking advice )

So...Let's hear it.. You're in a bank.. #3 or #4 happens.

What do you do?

[Skuggi]

2 banks were robbed in mckees rocks, 1 one day the other the next. Midday

1st was the PNC, they never caught the guy, and then the next day around the same time, the National City. Once again never caught the guy.

In a bank, I wouldnt do anything I'd just obey, unless the gun was on me, or he already shot. Not letting someone else get shot so I can shoot someone that would be dumb and as I see it, even though it's wrong, the banks can take the loss.

Now say i'm walking down the street and a guy is running out of a bank weapon drawn and carrying bags. Well then I'm gonna shoot before he sees me as a witness. Right or wrong, i'll deal with the jury, even though I am stopping a felony, but my life is not in immediate danger some would say. But I say if this guy sees me he's probably going to want to kill me so I cant report his face.

Edit: or the vehicle they're getting into etc.

[Chazman321]

That all depends on the situation and where I am in the bank... If they don't see me then when they are drawing their weapons, I will take the shot... If they know I'm in there, I will completely comply, until they turn their back, then I'd take the shot... lol

Sadly in my town, the banks that do get robbed, are the ones with No Firearms signs on the doors... I don't go to them anyways and I hardly ever do go to the bank as it is. I usually do everything through the ATM... lol

[RoyJackson]

The bank's money is insured. I believe most banks' policy is to give them the money and let them go.

Unless the situation escalated into violence, I would not draw. Even if it did escalate, well, you've got to decide whether drawing would make the situation better or worse. The CCW carrier does not want to attempt something that could result in a massacre. And, he or she better be ready to shoot the BG or BG's dead in their tracks.

If there is more then one perp, I doubt if the CCW holder could do much of anything...same thing applies if the BGs' had long arms (shotgun or rifle). Also, if it's a gang (more then two BGs), the best thing to do is take their orders and hope for the best. The CCW gun is for self defense, not suicide.

Even with a single robber armed with a handgun or knife, the CCW holder must remember some banks have armed guards. You don't want him thinking you're another BG. It could end up, the good guy would be shot by the guard.

Now, if it's a last resort situation (the BGs have shot one or more persons and it appears they're going to kill everyone)...then there's nothing to lose, is there?

Outside the bank? Well, it would be tough if you hit an innocent bystander, wouldn't it? And, shooting at someone you didn't see commit a felony (even running and carrying the bags....nope, you're not covered by any self defense laws and you're not in imminent danger. If he points a gun at you...different story and I hope the CCW holder is an excellent shot under stress.

So, unless there was absolutely no other choice, the BGs are going to get away.

[JohnUSCG]

A topic that would arise in discussion from time to time in the police academy was always the "What if..." or "What would you do..." talk.
Every single situation is different. As for me and as for those who I know....the best advice for any situation is to BE THE BEST WITNESS YOU CAN POSSIBLY BE.
Again......each situation is different.


John

[ChamberedRound]

Very tough to say what I would do, as reactions are very situation-specific. IF the man was armed, lives were being threatened, and I wasn't putting anyone else in further danger by my own actions, then I would draw.

Anything else, and I would not only NOT be justified in using force, but my actions could actually be the catalyst which escalates the situation, causing harm to myself or others in the bank.

[avizpls]

A plan is just that. A plan. Everything you planned on goes out the window when you find yourself in the situation. Thus, I will not discuss my speculations of what I will do with anyone but myself. I dont want to hear, "I thought you said you'd...."

[Lougotzz]

This is a bad situation and all your what if's will mean $hit in your computer room. I hope I never have to be in a situation like that. If I am I will tell you I will do all I have to to walk out of there to be home with my family, that means everything from shooting to jumping out a glass window and running to being a sheeple.


You can answer this question after you are in the situation. Other than that it is all speculation. like most CCW what if's. Thats why some of these CCW classes are jokes. No one knows till they have a gun to their head how they will react. Some on this board might piss their pants and cry like babies with a gun in their pocket.

[Rule10b5]

Originally Posted by Lougotzz

Some on this board might piss their pants and cry like babies with a gun in their pocket.

Every time I've been in a dangerous situation I've been more perplexed than terrified -- like I wasn't sure it was really going on. The fear didn't seem to get really bad until afterwards. The one time I've REALLY needed to draw (and did), I didn't panic until it was all done. Then I was scared shitless -- the time to reflect on what could have happened got to me more than what was actually happening. I think I was probably in such a panic during the incident that I didn't realize how panicked I was...

[avizpls]

The fear didn't seem to get really bad until afterwards. The one time I've REALLY needed to draw (and did), I didn't panic until it was all done

EXACTLY. Ditto that.