FBI: Number of 2008 metro-area bank robberies ‘isn’t alarming’

While 33 robberies in the metro area since January might seem like a lot compared with some previous years, the statistic “isn’t alarming,” according to FBI spokesperson Paul McCabe. If robberies continue at their current pace, the year’s tally will be in line with those of previous years. In 2007, the metro area saw 70 bank robberies, preceded by 50 in 2006, a record 97 in 2005, and 92 in 2004, according to FBI records.

So why does it seem like bank robberies have been in the news so much lately? McCabe blames it on a few serial bank robbers who set the curve — that is, until they get caught. “[Serial bank robbers] tend to hit a lot of banks and cause the number to spike up,” at least while they’re still on the loose, McCabe says, recalling the Fishing Hat Bandit who robbed 23 banks one year and other legends like Spongebob Squarepants the South of the River Bandit.

Continued: Click “Read more”More recently, one guy, whose name hasn’t been released, is the suspected culprit behind six bank stickups all over the Twin Cities since April. (The latest strike was May 14 at Premier Bank in Roseville.) Likewise, career bank robber Suresh Small was accused of robbing five area banks at the time of his March 28 arrest, KARE 11 reports. Combined, the two men are responsible for one-third of this year’s local bank heists.

Often, after serial bank robbers are taken into custody, bank heists dwindle in number or stop altogether, McCabe says. But the ebb and flow of bank robberies is a mysterious thing. Sometimes there’s an increase during the holiday season, as was seen in last November through December. Then again, “You can go two, three weeks without any, so you never know.” 

Pictured: Bank robber in St. Louis Park, March 13, 2008