South Florida Bank Robberies Increase 25 Percent; FBI Seeks Public’s Assistance

MIAMI—South Florida is on course to reach nearly 100 bank robberies by September 30, if the current trend holds, and will outpace the number of robberies from the two previous years, according to statistics released by FBI Miami Division today.

There were a total of 49 bank robberies in the first half of fiscal year 2012, which ended in March. This represents an increase of approximately 25 percent over the previous fiscal year.

Fiscal Year (ends September 30)

Total Bank Robbery Cases

2010                            87

2011                            75

2012                            (through March 30) 49

The FBI and the South Florida Violent Crime/Fugitive Task Force (SFVC/FTF) have solved about half of the robberies this year and continue to investigate the remaining cases.

“The majority of the unsolved cases are non-violent bank robbers who commit what we call ‘one-on-one robberies,’” said FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Beall, who leads the SFVC/FTF. “We always try to get pictures of the bank robbers out to the public as soon as possible. In most cases, tips from the public help us identify the robbers and bring them to justice.”

The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance for any information concerning two unsolved crimes: the March 29, 2012 robbery of a Pembroke Pines, Florida bank and an August 22, 2009 armored carrier robbery in Dania Beach, Florida, during which an armored courier employee was shot. There is a reward offered for the armored courier robbery case.

On a daily basis, the SFVC/FTF combats violent armored truck and bank robbers. The SFVC/FTF is led by the FBI and is comprised of law enforcement officers from Miami Dade Police Department, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Miramar Police Department, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Miami Beach Police Department, City of Miami Police Department, and Hialeah Police Department.

Anyone who has any information about these or other robberies should contact the FBI at (305) 944-9101.

Pictures of unsolved South Florida bank robberies can be seen at http://bandittrackerflorida.com/category/florida/southern-district/.

The charge of bank robbery can carry a prison term of up to 25 years.

Media interested in further information should contact Special Agent Michael Leverock at michael.leverock@ic.fbi.gov or Mr. Jim Marshall at james.marshall@ic.fbi.gov.