
DATE: Tuesday, September 23, 1997           TAG: 9709220149

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Public safety 

SOURCE: BY JUNE ARNEY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  113 lines

BANK ROBBERS WORKING OVERTIME THE REGION HAS SET A RECORD FOR BANK ROBBERIES THIS YEAR WUTH 73. BANK HEISTS ARE ON THE RISE AFTER A FOUR-YEAR DECLINE.

When a man walked into Jefferson National Bank in Portsmouth at 9:15 a.m. on July 23 and demanded money, he broke the region's record for bank robberies in a single year, set in 1992.

Charles G. Sullivan, 55, was arrested by Portsmouth police shortly afterward and charged with that robbery along with the robberies of two other banks in June.

The July 23 heist brought the region's bank robbery tally to 66, topping the record of 65 set in 1992. Since then, there have been seven more robberies, raising the record for the year to 73 - with a week to go in the year. The FBI tracks bank robberies during the federal fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The Southeastern Virginia region stretches north to Gloucester, south to the North Carolina border and west to Franklin.

The Hampton Roads numbers reflect a nationwide trend. Across the U.S., bank robberies are on the rise after a five-year drop, authorities say.

At a recent meeting of bank robbery investigators in Quantico, about three-fourths of the nation's 56 FBI field offices reported increases, according to Scott P. Spiegelhalter, a special agent with the FBI who works Hampton Roads bank-robbery cases.

``What's contributing to the increase?'' he asked. ``The economy is one factor, but who knows what could be feeding into it.''

Hampton Roads ``is definitely keeping pace with the rest of the nation. Just because we're in Tidewater doesn't mean we're exempt from what's happening in the rest of the country.''

The nation's record for bank robberies of 9,622 was set in 1992. In 1995, there were 7,067 robberies, burglaries and larcenies of banks in the nation, according to FBI statistics. In 1996, there were 7,562, a rise of 7 percent.

In Hampton Roads, bank robbers typically make their demands by handing notes to tellers. Sometimes the notes claim the robber has a gun, but generally no gun is displayed.

``They're still the primary way to do robberies in Hampton Roads,'' Spiegelhalter said.

Despite the large number of robberies locally in the past year, none has involved gunplay.

Such a nonviolent approach to robbery is a stark contrast to other crimes committed in Hampton Roads.

``We've seen a lot of violence in this area, and why bank robbers are continuing with a note operation, we don't know,'' said Bo McFarland, a spokesman for the FBI. ``It's not like this is an island of tranquillity.''

But the custom of passing notes is consistent throughout the country. There were 3,555 robberies involving notes in 1995, out of 7,067 total robberies, burglaries and larcenies. That was the most current year for which statistics were available from the FBI.

But some modern bank robbers harken to the Depression-era days of famed bank robbers such as Bonnie and Clyde: They bring guns and they use them.

In March, robbers carrying AK-47 assault rifles held up a bank in North Hollywood, Calif., then opened fire on authorities, bystanders and television news helicopters. Two robbers were fatally shot and three bystanders and six police officers wounded before it was over.

Richmond also saw violence this year.

On Jan. 30, two armed men robbed a NationsBank on the east side of the city, spraying the inside of the bank with gunfire from semi-automatic weapons and waging a brief battle with police. They ran out the front door and escaped through Richmond National Cemetery. A 23-year-old teller died from a bullet wound to the chest, and three other people in the bank, including a security guard, were shot.

More often than not, however, arrests are made in bank robberies. More than 80 percent of the bank robberies that occurred in South Hampton Roads between January and June have been cleared, according to Spiegelhalter. He attributes that success rate to a good working relationship with local police departments. Nationwide, arrests are made in about 65 percent of robberies.

Bank robbers typically are in their mid-20s to early 30s, according to Spiegelhalter. They are almost always men.

``It's hard to say who's going to hold up a bank,'' Spiegelhalter said. ``Sometimes it's spur of the moment. . . . Bank robbers are a different animal. They walk in nonchalantly and do what they're going to do.''

They seem to represent a cross-section of society. Some come in wearing suits, McFarland said. There have been cases where robbers wrote their note on the back of a personal check with their name on it, or the back of a calendar identifying their place of business. Occasionally, a robber will even commit his crime wearing a nametag.

Hampton Roads banks are being robbed primarily by local residents.

``We don't seem to be getting bank robbers moving from state to state,'' McFarland said.

Some robbers target banks out of desperation and because they think that is where the money is, Spiegelhalter said. But the robbers frequently are surprised, because banks have some of the most modern security technology available. The banking industry has provided good training, and tellers know what to look for. Even when successful, the average take in a bank robbery is low - typically under $2,000, he said.

In 1995, robbers made off with more than $59 million in cash and securities across the country. Of those losses, about $9.6 million was recovered, according to the FBI. MEMO: Staff writer Naomi Aoki contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic by Mike Hall/The Virginian-Pilot

Data Bank

Number of Bank Robberies in the Tidewater Area

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Graphic

Because that's where the money is...

Average take by type of robbery in 1995

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Graphic

Tips if you become the victim of a Bank Robbery:

For complete copy, see microfilm KEYWORDS: BANK ROBBERY