There were a record-breaking 236 bank robberiess in the Chicago region last year, says the Chicago Sun-Times. The previous record was 195 in 1995. FBI officials said the growing number of satellite bank branches and extended hours at these facilities are possible factors in the increase.
Many robberies, which are becoming more violent and involve an average of $2,000 stolen, are committed by offenders with addiction problems. “They’re not robbing banks because they got laid off from their jobs at General Motors,” said FBI agent Frank Bochte. The best way to combat the crime is for banks to invest in a quality surveillance camera, he said.
Link: http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-bankrob04.html