According to statistics released today by the FBI, there were 6,700 robberies of financial institutions nationwide in 2008, totaling $61.9 million, with acts of violence being committed during 293 (4 percent) of the 6,849 robberies, resulting in 123 injuries, 21 deaths, and 105 persons being taken hostage.
Of the 21 deaths, 17 resulted in deaths of the perpetrators, and one involving a bank employee.
The number of robberies was slightly down from 2007 when there were 6,933
California led the country with the highest amount of robberies with 912, followed by New York with 499, Texas with 481, Florida with 355, and Pennsylvania rounding out the top five with 314 robberies
There were only two robberies in Vermont and Montana, and none in Wyoming
Friday is clearly the most popular day to rob a bank. 1472 banks were robbed on Friday, 1,407 between the hours of 3 to 6 p.m.
For a full report, “Bank Statistics for 2008'' are available on the FBI's Website
- Bill Lucey
WPLucey@gmail.com
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