Where Bank Robbers Make Their Biggest Mistakes

Where Bank Robbers Make Their Biggest Mistakes

So you wanna rob a bank, huh? Well, you better be ready to do some time, buddy. Bank robbery is serious business with serious consequences. But if you’re dead set on it, here’s some advice on avoiding the most common mistakes bank robbers make so you can try to get away with it. Not that I recommend it!

First thing’s first – casing the joint. You gotta do your homework and scout the place out before you make your move. But don’t be obvious about it! Many a robber has been busted just for casing a bank one too many times. Be discreet – pop in like a normal customer, chat up the tellers, get a feel for the layout and security. Don’t keep showing up and lurking around outside, that’s a dead giveaway. Oh, and for the love of god, don’t tell your buddies about your plan and bring them along to check the place out. More people means more chances someone will remember you.

When it comes time to slip the teller a note, don’t write it beforehand! Rookie mistake. The cops can analyze your handwriting and match it up if they find the note. Write it on the spot with your non-dominant hand to disguise your writing. And don’t sign it with your name or put any identifying info on there – just make your demands clear. Oh, and don’t forget to wear gloves so you don’t leave prints!

You’re gonna want a disguise, but forget the whole silly getup with masks and wigs and stuff. You’ll just draw more attention to yourself. Keep it simple – sunglasses, hat, nondescript clothes. The more average you look, the better. And make sure to cover up any distinctive tattoos or features that could help witnesses describe you later. Oh, and leave the gun at home if you’ve got one – armed robbery will get you way more time than unarmed. A threatening note is enough to get the cash.

When it comes to the loot, take what you can carry, but don’t get greedy! Resist the urge to grab the stacks of big bills – they’ve got exploding dye packs in them. Go for the loose small bills in the teller’s drawer so you can make a quick getaway. And don’t hang around waiting for more cash – every second counts when making your escape, so get out of there ASAP.

Speaking of getaways, you’re gonna want wheels, but make sure they can’t be traced back to you! Steal a car, take public transportation, anything but your own vehicle. Use temporary license plates or obscure your real ones. And have an escape route planned ahead of time – don’t just drive around aimlessly with the cops on your tail. Know which roads to take and where you can ditch the car and lay low.

Once you’ve got the cash, resist the urge to start splashing it around. Cops will be looking for anyone suddenly living large with unexplained income. Deposit small amounts at different banks over time to avoid suspicion. And definitely don’t brag about your haul to friends – loose lips sink ships, as they say. The more people who know, the more likely you’ll get ratted out.

Bottom line, bank robbery is high risk, high reward. But if you avoid amateur mistakes like poor planning, sloppy disguises, greediness, bragging and hanging onto evidence, you might just have a shot at getting away with it. For a little while, anyway. Not that I recommend it! Crime doesn’t pay, kids. Stay in school!

Casing the Bank

Doing thorough reconnaissance and casing the bank before robbing it is crucial. But many robbers mess up by making their casing too obvious. Repeatedly visiting the bank and lurking around outside is a dead giveaway . One Michigan bank robber was busted after casing the bank so many times the branch manager got suspicious and took down his license plate number . He was arrested later that day after robbing the bank he had cased.

To avoid this, only visit the bank once or twice at most. Pop in like a normal customer, chat up the tellers to get info, and take mental notes on security and layout. Snapping pics on your phone is another rookie error that will attract attention. Keep it low key – the less anyone notices you, the better.

Also, don’t bring your buddies along when casing the joint. Every extra person is one more witness who could potentially ID you later. Rob solo to limit that risk. And for god’s sake, don’t tell anyone else your plans to rob the bank and bring them along to check it out. Bragging about criminal plans to associates is stupid and asking for trouble.

Disguises

A disguise can help avoid identification, but the key is not going overboard. Dressing up in an elaborate costume with masks and wigs will ironically only draw more attention . Keep it simple – sunglasses, hat, nondescript clothes – so you blend in versus stand out. Average and forgettable is the goal.

Also cover up any distinctive tattoos, scars or features that a witness could use to describe you later . The less memorable you look, the harder it will be for tellers to give a detailed description. So scrub off that face tattoo and keep those sleeve tats covered up, buddy.

And don’t wear the same disguise to multiple robberies thinking you’re clever. Disguises only work if they’re not associated with the “bank robber” description. Vary your look each time so that witnesses describe different suspects.

Demand Notes

Slipping a threatening demand note to a teller is a common and effective robbery tactic. But many crooks screw it up by writing the note beforehand, allowing cops to analyze the handwriting and match it up later.

To avoid this, write the note on the spot using your non-dominant hand to disguise your normal writing style. And don’t sign it or put any identifying info – the less they can trace back to you, the better. Just make your cash demands clear in as few words as possible.

Oh, and don’t forget gloves so you don’t leave prints on the note! Rookie mistake leaving your digits at the scene of the crime.

The Getaway

Having a clean, untraceable getaway plan is critical for bank robbers. Many amateurs screw this part up by using their own vehicle or lacking an escape route, making it easy for cops to chase them down.

Steal a car or take public transportation to the bank; anything but your own ride with traceable plates. Use temporary plates or cover your real ones . And have an escape route mapped out beforehand – know which roads to take and where you can ditch the car and lay low once the heat is on.

Getting greedy with the loot is another rookie error. Resist grabbing the big bait bills; they’ve got exploding dye packs in them . Go for the loose small bills that you can just stuff in a bag and bolt. Every second counts during getaway, so move fast and get out of there before cops arrive.

Keeping a Low Profile

Congratulations, you pulled off the perfect heist! Now comes the hard part – resisting the urge to immediately blow your newfound cash and keeping a low profile so you don’t get busted.

Flashing stolen money around is a quick way to attract cops’ attention. Deposit any stolen cash in small amounts over time at different banks to avoid raising red flags . And definitely don’t start making big purchases right away – that new Lambo will have to wait, buddy.

Also crucial – keep your mouth shut! Don’t go bragging to your buddies about the score. Loose lips sink ships, and the more people who know, the more likely you’ll get ratted out later.

Enjoy your ill-gotten gains quietly, and if you just can’t resist spending some of that sweet bank money, do it far away where you’re not known. But honestly, your best bet is laying low close to home rather than taking an expensive vacation you can’t explain. The IRS will be watching…

Bank robbery is high risk, high reward. Avoid the common mistakes like poor planning and bragging, and you might just have a shot at getting away with it! For a little while anyway… But seriously kids, crime doesn’t pay! Stay in school!