Bank robbers target Colorado as state ranks third in nation for 2023

Regardless of a nationwide decline in financial institution robberies in recent times, Colorado stays one of many prime states for these crimes — a incontrovertible fact that worries native financial institution leaders, who report that robberies have elevated.

According to the FBI Colorado recorded 104 financial institution robberies in 2023, the latest 12 months for which knowledge is offered. That ranked third within the nation behind California (192) and Illinois (116).

Jenifer Waller, CEO and president of the Colorado Bankers Affiliation, mentioned the state’s excessive rating is nothing new.

“Colorado, sadly, has at all times had a whole lot of robberies,” Waller mentioned. “We’re competing with California and some different states for the primary place in financial institution robberies.”

View of Bennet Avenue in Cripple Creek, Colorado. The state ranked third within the nation for financial institution robberies in 2023, with 104, in accordance with the FBI. (Nina Raingold/Getty Photographs)

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Though the variety of incidents dropped after 2021, when Colorado had 191 financial institution robberies, Waller mentioned the development seems to be going again up.

“We noticed what I might think about a drastic improve a bit over a 12 months in the past,” she added. “A few of our member banks have once more observed a slight improve in latest months.”

These considerations are echoed by legislation enforcement businesses throughout the state — together with in Aurora, the place police lately responded to an armed financial institution theft that underscored how rapidly these crimes can escalate.

On September 24, Aurora police had been known as to a BMO Financial institution department after a person pointed a gun at a money register and demanded money.

“A person walked in, walked proper as much as the middle counter, pulled out a gun, caught it within the face of one of many staff and demanded cash,” a spokesperson for the Aurora Police Division (APD) advised Fox Information Digital.

The suspect fled with roughly €1,000. Detectives recognized him as 41-year-old Matthew Procella, and three days later – aided by a license plate reader – officers positioned his car and arrested Procella with out incident.

The APD mentioned that whereas the division doesn’t individually observe knowledge on financial institution robberies, the general variety of robberies within the metropolis is down 36.3% this 12 months, together with a 40% improve in arrests.

The FBI declined to remark, citing the continued authorities shutdown.

When requested what may very well be inflicting this improve, Waller admitted it’s a advanced drawback with no clear trigger.

Police search a strip mall the place a Chase Financial institution was robbed on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, on the nook of East Mulberry Avenue and South Lemay Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado. (Timothy Hurst/The Coloradoan)

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“I’ve usually puzzled if the straightforward entry to highways and freeways right here does not assist with financial institution robberies,” she mentioned. “However I haven’t got a definitive reply. It may be an financial downturn that offers rise to this; we’ve got seen that previously.”

Colorado banks are taking proactive steps to discourage robberies and shield each prospects and staff. Many of those security upgrades had been accelerated by pandemic protocols and stay a everlasting deterrent.

“Banks are very proactive. Our first precedence is to make sure the protection of our prospects and staff in any theft scenario,” Waller mentioned. “One factor we noticed carried out… is that the doorways of banks could be locked and prospects must be given entry to get into the financial institution. We have seen banks proceed with that as a safety device.”

Banks additionally depend on know-how, together with dye packs, superior cameras and ongoing worker coaching. Some establishments have chosen to deploy armed guards as an additional deterrent.

Regardless of the excessive numbers, most financial institution robberies in Colorado are nonviolent, Waller mentioned.

“The vast majority of robberies in Colorado and nationwide are small-time, non-violent robberies,” Waller explains. “More often than not, a gun is not even pulled.”

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Vectra Financial institution on US Freeway 50, one in every of three robbed in Pueblo, Colorado, in April 2023. (Justin Reutter/The Pueblo Chief)

But even nonviolent robberies take an emotional toll.

“Financial institution robberies should not a victimless crime,” Waller mentioned. “These concerned – each staff and prospects – expertise a sure diploma of stress, even whether it is only a note-taking job.”

Whereas bodily robberies stay a significant drawback, fraud and scams are growing quickly – ​​particularly in the case of examine washing and arranged crime teams exploiting susceptible people to money fraudulent checks.

“I am shocked, however we’re seeing a rise in old style examine washing,” Waller mentioned. “Regulation enforcement has recognized the underlying organized prison exercise.”

Along with conventional financial institution robberies, Colorado is beginning to see a harmful crime development often known as “jugging,” a development that was beforehand extra frequent in different elements of the nation.

“We’re beginning to see that in Colorado,” Waller mentioned. “Jugging is when somebody is robbed after making a money withdrawal or carrying money. We remind prospects to remain conscious of their environment and never go away financial institution baggage in automobiles.”

Banks and legislation enforcement businesses are responding with instructional campaigns targeted on situational consciousness and protected money dealing with.

Waller credited the FBI and the Rocky Mountain Protected Streets Activity Pressure for his or her sturdy partnership with monetary establishments.

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An individual receiving money from an ATM could also be a goal for ‘jugging’. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

“The FBI is extraordinarily useful,” she mentioned. “The Activity Pressure is doing an exceptional job figuring out and convicting financial institution robberies. We’re very happy with the help we’re receiving.”

Waller famous that traditionally, about 80% of financial institution robberies had been solved inside 24 months, though she emphasised that she doesn’t have present figures.

For purchasers who would possibly discover themselves in a theft scenario, Waller supplied easy however highly effective recommendation.

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“Simply adjust to the robber’s calls for instantly,” she suggested. “Afterwards, you write down the whole lot you may keep in mind… with out speaking to anybody else, in order that nobody influences your reminiscence. Crucial factor is {that a} buyer doesn’t attempt to intervene.”

As banking crime evolves, Colorado’s monetary establishments proceed to adapt – balancing know-how, vigilance and buyer security.

“The protection of consumers and staff is our first precedence,” Waller emphasizes.

Whereas Colorado might not at the moment be on the prime of the record of states with essentially the most financial institution robberies, the emergence of recent prison techniques and fraud schemes stays a priority – one which Colorado’s monetary establishments are preserving a detailed eye on.

Stepheny Value covers crime together with lacking individuals, murders and migrant crime. Ship story tricks to stepheny.value@fox.com.