Hold up! What's behind the rash of robberies?

Reasons for robberies
Driving his unmarked police car around the Tampa area, veteran Hillsborough County Detective Ron Noland points out several bank branches that have been struck by robbers. Some suspects have told him they were feeling desperate during tough economic times, he says. "They lost their jobs, you know, they gotta support a family. They need the money, can't find a job."

Authorities say the primary reason bank robbers strike, however, is to support addictions — to drugs, alcohol or gambling.

"Fifty percent of them have a drug addiction problem," says the FBI's Kaiser. "Normally after the robbery, we only recover about 20 percent of the money."

Adds Winsett: "The money's gone shortly after they leave the bank, because they're spending it on drugs or some other type of habit. They're not savers. They don't take from one (bank), and go deposit it in another."

According to the FBI, of the $70 million taken from banks last year, only $9.5 million has been recovered.

Most get caught
Police say most bank robbers are eventually apprehended, even though the money they took usually slips away.

"When they commit multiple robberies, the odds of catching them are increasing every time," says Kaiser.

In the robbery section at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, detective are working to catch a serial robber they have dubbed the Knife Bandit. Examining a security camera photo of the robber brandishing a big knife in front of a teller, detective Tony Palladini explains how the crime is usually committed — with a knife hidden in a black-colored notebook planner.

"He opens it up and that knife is laying in the planner, and he'll demand the money," he says.

Police say they are working hard to catch the Knife Bandit before someone gets hurt.

Authorities urge customers and tellers who find themselves confronted by a bank robber to cooperate fully, and to allow the robber to leave the bank as quickly as possible, reducing the chance of violence. At most, experts urge victims to remember the robber's appearance and actions.

Asked why they think there are so many bank robberies, police say one factor may be the increased number of branch banks around the country. 

"Banks are on every corner to be a convenience for the people that deposit their money there," said Winsett. "Well, it makes it just as convenient for the bank robber."

MORE FROM NIGHTLY NEWS WITH BRIAN WILLIAMS

Nightly News with Brian Williams Section Front

Woods loses first major endorsement deal   Will more sponsors drop Woods?   Rescuers race to find Mount Hood climbers   Economy to get tidings of hope for holidays?   Senate OKs $1.1 trillion spending bill   Man bloodies Berlusconi at rally   ‘Scared’ Knox remains hopeful   Rio’s Olympic task: Fighting crime   Blues legend continues to shape genre Nightly News with Brian Williams Section Front   Add Nightly News with Brian Williams headlines to your news reader: