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Monday, February 9, 2009

Crime Because It's Just So Damned Hard to Get a Loan

Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 3:50 PM

With our economy solidly in the shitter, lenders are being stingy. But that hasn't stopped a growing number of people are turning to an old method for acquiring an interest-free loan.

According to statistics from the FBI, bank robberies are up from this time last year. Last January, there were 14 bank robberies in Washington. This year, there were 22.

It'd be fairly easy to assume that the spike is the result of our economy's freefall, but FBI spokeswoman Robbie Burroughs says the jump in January robberies isn't necessarily indicative of an upward trend. "I think one month is too short a period of time to draw any conclusions," she says. "In any given year there are high months and low months."

While the FBI may not be ready to call this spike the beginning of a trend, one SPD employee familiar with bank robberies in the region believes heists are happening "way more than normal" and thinks he knows why it's happening. "People are pissed off at the damn banks," the SPD employee says. "I know that’s what it is."

I know we've already had two robberies in Seattle this month—in the same day. I'll check the stats at the end of February and report back.

Comments (5) RSS

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I hear ya. And don't mug someone for chump change; steal their groceries.

Posted by Lloyd Clydesdale on February 9, 2009 at 4:05 PM

are you busy newspeople going to liveslog the presidential press conference that happens at 5pm seattle time?

wouldn't that be noteworthy. hopefully he says some dramatic shit in to say favor of his plan because those republicans have been shitcannin' it with loose, ignorant lips.

i want to see a smack down! i just watched 'the wrestler' last night. that stapler gun scene is still in my head with all it's fucked-upness.

i mean ram down.

Posted by please please me on February 9, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Sadly (sadly?), all these people will be caught. Almost everyone besides the pros is. Vancouver, B.C., the North American bank robbery capital - attributed to a high concentration of serious drug dependents - has a 90% capture rate.

It's like going to the grocery store hungry. Don't plan crimes where you're desperate.

Posted by Dougsf on February 9, 2009 at 4:42 PM

@3,

Funny, I was just wondering about that. With all the security cameras in a bank, it's hard to imagine that they don't get caught quickly.

Posted by keshmeshi on February 9, 2009 at 5:22 PM

Want to hurt banks?

Switch to a credit union.

Just as an example, there's a new branch of the Boeing CU in the U Dist.

Cheaper, lower fees, and better savings interest rates.

Posted by Will in Seattle on February 10, 2009 at 10:18 AM