Regardless of a nationwide decline in financial institution robberies over the previous a number of years, Colorado stays among the many prime states for these crimes — a proven fact that considerations native banking leaders who report an uptick in heists.
In line with the FBI, Colorado recorded 104 financial institution robberies in 2023, the latest 12 months with information obtainable. That ranked third within the nation behind California (192) and Illinois (116).
Jenifer Waller, chief government officer and president of the Colorado Bankers Affiliation, stated the state’s excessive rating is nothing new.
“Colorado, sadly, has all the time been excessive in theft,” Waller stated. “We compete with California and some different states for the primary place on financial institution robberies.”
Whereas incidents declined after 2021, when Colorado had 191 financial institution robberies, Waller stated the pattern seems to be edging upward once more.
“We noticed what I’d contemplate a drastic enhance a bit of over a 12 months in the past,” she added. “A few of our member banks have observed a slight uptick once more in current months.”
That concern has been echoed by legislation enforcement companies throughout the state — together with in Aurora, the place police lately responded to an armed financial institution theft that underscored how shortly these crimes can escalate.
On Sept. 24, Aurora police have been referred to as to a BMO Financial institution department after a person pulled a gun on a teller and demanded money.
“A person walked in, went straight to the center counter, pulled out a gun, put it into one of many staff’ faces and demanded cash,” an Aurora Police Division (APD) spokesperson advised Fox Information Digital.
The suspect fled with about $1,000. Detectives recognized him as 41-year-old Matthew Procella, and three days later — aided by a license-plate reader hit — officers situated his car and arrested Procella with out incident.
The APD stated that whereas the division doesn’t individually monitor bank-robbery information, general theft within the metropolis is down 36.3% year-to-date, alongside a 40% enhance in arrests.
The FBI declined to remark, citing the continuing authorities shutdown.
When requested what is perhaps fueling this enhance, Waller admitted it’s a fancy subject with no clear trigger.
“I’ve usually questioned if the simple entry to highways and interstates doesn’t support in financial institution robberies right here,” she stated. “However I don’t have a strong reply. It may be a downturn economically that motivates it — we now have seen that previously.”
Colorado banks are taking proactive steps to discourage robberies and defend each clients and staff. Many of those safety upgrades have been accelerated by pandemic protocols and have continued as everlasting deterrents.
“Banks are very proactive. Our primary precedence is guaranteeing the protection of our clients and staff in any theft state of affairs,” Waller stated. “One factor we noticed applied … is the place banks’ doorways can be locked and the shoppers must get entry to come back contained in the financial institution. We’ve seen banks proceed that as a method of safety.”
Banks are additionally leaning on know-how, together with dye packs, superior cameras and continued worker coaching. Some establishments have opted to make use of armed guards as an extra deterrent.
Regardless of the excessive numbers, most financial institution robberies in Colorado are nonviolent, Waller stated.
“Nearly all of robberies in Colorado and nationwide are word jobs and nonviolent robberies,” Waller defined. “Often not even a gun is drawn.”
Nonetheless, even nonviolent robberies take an emotional toll.
“Financial institution theft isn’t a victimless crime,” Waller stated. “These concerned — staff and clients alike — expertise a specific amount of stress, even when it’s only a word job.”
Whereas bodily robberies stay a significant concern, fraud and scams are quickly rising — notably involving check-washing schemes and arranged crime teams exploiting weak people to money fraudulent checks.
“It surprises me, however we’re seeing an increase in old style verify washing,” Waller stated. “Legislation enforcement has recognized organized legal exercise behind it.”
Along with conventional financial institution robberies, Colorado is starting to see a harmful crime pattern referred to as “jugging,” which had beforehand been extra widespread in different elements of the nation.
“We’re beginning to see that in Colorado,” Waller stated. “Jugging is when a person is robbed after taking a withdrawal or carrying money. We’re reminding clients to remain conscious of their environment and never depart financial institution luggage in autos.”
Banks and legislation enforcement companies are responding with public training campaigns targeted on situational consciousness and protected dealing with of money.
Waller credited the FBI and the Rocky Mountain Secure Streets Job Power for his or her sturdy partnership with monetary establishments.
“The FBI is extraordinarily useful,” she stated. “The Job Power does an outstanding job of figuring out and convicting financial institution theft. We’re more than happy with the assist we get.”
Waller famous that traditionally, about 80% of financial institution robberies have been solved inside 24 months, although she emphasised she didn’t have a present determine.
For patrons who would possibly discover themselves in a theft state of affairs, Waller supplied easy however agency recommendation.
“You simply adjust to the robber’s calls for instantly,” she suggested. “After the very fact, you write down every thing you may bear in mind… with out speaking to anybody else so nobody influences your reminiscence. A very powerful factor is for a buyer to not attempt to intervene.”
As financial institution crimes evolve, Colorado’s monetary establishments proceed to adapt — balancing know-how, vigilance and buyer security.
“Buyer and worker security is our primary precedence,” Waller emphasised.
Whereas Colorado might not presently prime the checklist of states with essentially the most financial institution robberies, the rise in new legal ways and fraud schemes stays a priority — one which Colorado’s monetary establishments are watching intently.
