Warning; Halloween Trick or Treat Time is Here!

Heads up! Halloween Trick or Treat / Costume Time: Most popular is the John Dillinger mask & costume complete with replica Tommy Gun and tote bag, almost sold out, try Google.


Bank robberies are up, but are they easier?

New technology like dye-stained money, digital surveillance cameras and access control doors make hold-ups more complicated, according to former FBI bank robbery expert William Rehder. "I think it gives the bandits more pause today," he said.

PHILADELPHIA. In June, a daring bank robber hit Citizens Bank at 20th and Market streets in broad daylight, grabbing headlines and widespread media coverage.

The lone suspect wasn't a gun-wielding bandit or a hostage-snatching thug, but allegedly 59-year-old Jerry Lee Stanton, an unarmed man wearing oversized sunglasses and holding a dirty pillowcase.

With a 33-percent increase so far this year in bank heists and a cast of not-your-run-of-the-mill bandits, has the stick-up become a push-over?

"It is easier to rob a bank because it’s not much of a secret that the banks have trained the tellers to give the robber some money and get him out of there," said Robert McCrie, a security expert who teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

With more banks emphasizing customer service – ditching armed guards for courtesy guards and eliminating bullet-proof barriers – branches are more attractive to criminals, McCrie said.

But others quickly disagree that heists have gotten easier.

"It’s not any easier this year than last year or 10 years ago," said J.J. Klaver, spokesman for the FBI.

Trick or Treat... Suckers
Man with hockey mask
robs Alexandria bank
Alexandria police are investigating a bank robbery at an M&T Bank at 833 South Washington St.
At about 2:45 p.m. Thursday, a man wearing a hockey mask walked into the bank and brandished a firearm. The man took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled.
He wore a green jacket over a light colored hooded sweat shirt. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 703-838-4444 or the Crime Solvers tip line at 703-838-4858.
- Compiled by Alan Suderman and Scott McCabe



10-13-09 Bank of West Anaheim, Ca, Take-Over, Terrorist wearing Halloween Mask/Hoodie brought his own Goodie Bag


10-19-09 1000hr Citibank La Canada, Ca., hit, one male just plain ugly got 5K and walked out. Probably same dude that hit Chase bank 10-15 in Altadena, greedy guy, check photos


Figure This one out....... Practice 211?
Armed men hold up Victorville furniture store
By Stacia Glenn
Posted: 10/19/2009 11:14:32 AM PDT

Authorities are looking for two Hispanic men who held up a Victorville furniture store on Saturday, stealing cash and injuring two people.
The armed men entered Gonzales' Furniture in the 15000 block of Seventh Street just before 8 p.m. and ordered everyone to the floor, said sheriff's deputies. An employee was struck in the held and an elderly woman scraped her knee after being forced to the ground. The robbers snatched money, a purse, a wallet, jewelry and a cell phone before escaping.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call sheriff's deputies at (760) 241-2911. Anonymous tipsters can call We-Top at (800) 78-CRIME.