FBI Releases Bank Crime Statistics for Fourth Quarter of 2008

April 16, 2009 -- Today the FBI released bank crime statistics for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2008. Between October 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, there were 1,617 robberies of financial institutions,* as well as 25 burglaries and three larcenies. This represents 1,645 reported violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statute, an increase from the third quarter’s total of 1,376.

“Although this quarter showed a 19.5 percent increase in bank crimes from the third quarter of 2008, this brings the total violations for 2008 to 6,105—down from the 2007 (6,182) and 2006 (7,272) calendar year totals,” said Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser, FBI Criminal Investigative Division.

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Highlights of the report include the following:

* Of the 1,645 total reported violations, loot was taken in 1,527 incidents (93 percent). In contrast, loot was taken in 1,267 incidents (92 percent) during the third quarter of 2008.
* The total amount taken was valued at more than $15.4 million dollars, an increase from the previous quarter’s total of more than $12.5 million stolen.
* A note was used in 839 incidents; a firearm was used in 465 incidents; and robbers threatened the use of a weapon in 696 incidents.
* Acts of violence were committed during 75 of the reported incidents. These acts included 22 instances involving the discharge of firearms, 37 instances involving assaults, and 15 instances of hostage situations.
* Three deaths occurred during this reporting period, all three of which were perpetrators. No law enforcement officers were killed responding to these incidents.
* Most violations occurred on Friday. Regardless of the day of the week, violations between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. were the most common.

Source: FBI