FBI Report: Bank Crimes Drop In 2009

• Mar 29, 2010

Recently, the FBI released bank crime statistics for calendar year 2009. Between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, there were 5,943 robberies, 100 burglaries, 19 larcenies, and three extortions of financial institutions reported to law enforcement. The total 6,065 reported violations represents a decrease from 2008, during which 6,857 violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statute were reported.

Highlights of the report include:

• Of the 6,062 total reported bank robberies, burglaries, and larcenies, loot was taken in 5,514 incidents (91 percent). No loot was taken during the three reported bank extortions.
• The total amount taken was valued at more than $45.9 million. More than $8 million was recovered and returned to financial institutions.
• During the reported bank robberies, burglaries, and larcenies, the following modus operandi were the most common: oral demand (3,368 incidents), demand note (3,269 incidents), firearm used (1,619 incidents), use of a weapon threatened (2,553 incidents). Of the three reported extortions, perpetrators used or threatened the use of explosive devices during one incident and made threats by telephone during two incidents.
• Acts of violence were committed during 269 (4 percent) of the reported robberies, burglaries, and larcenies. These acts included 75 instances involving the discharge of firearms, 158 instances involving assaults, one instance involving an explosive device, and 47 instances of hostage situations. No acts of violence occurred during the three reported bank extortions.
• Acts of violence resulted in 140 injuries, 21 deaths, and 94 persons being taken hostage. Of the 21 reported deaths, all were perpetrators. While nine officers were injured during the reported incidents, no law enforcement officers were killed responding to bank crimes in 2009. No injuries, deaths, or hostage takings occurred during the reported bank extortions.
• Most violations occurred on Friday. Regardless of the day of the week, violations between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. were the most common.
• Most violations occurred in the Southern region of the U.S., with 2,048 reported incidents.

These statistics were recorded as of February 22. Note that not all bank crimes are reported to the FBI, and therefore the report is not a complete statistical compilation of all bank crimes that occurred in the United States.