The Security Pacific Bank robbery of 1980, was an armed robbery which resulted in a large shootout after the suspects fled the bank. When the suspects initially entered the bank, a witness immediately called the police to report suspicious activity. As the group attempted to flee, they were confronted by an officer who eventually shot the driver of the getaway vehicle, causing the van to spin completely out of control. 

 

 

The officer was also shot during the exchange of gunfire, apparently being subject to over two hundred rounds. In the end, one officer and two suspects were killed. In addition, around ten officers were shot, including the first responding officer.

 

 

The Security Pacific Bank robbers had somehow obtained powerful weapons that they utilized to shoot through the surrounding law enforcement. In fact, the police that responded, would never have been able to match the firepower of the bank robbers. Before committing the armed robbery, the group had managed to secure powerful automatic weapons that would have taken out each and every responding officer had there not been an intervening factor later in the chase. 

 

 

In addition, the group of suspects had also obtained, or manufactured, explosive devices which they planned to utilize if necessary. After their vehicle was flipped due to the death of their get away driver, the group fled after car jacking a vehicle stopped near by. They continued to fire at police, even throwing explosives at them, later claiming that they wanted to die rather than be arrested. Eventually, the group gained a lead on officers, stopping only to ambush officers as they arrived on the scene.

 

 

Eventually, all of the suspects in the Security Pacific Bank robbery were killed or apprehended. They were charged with armed robbery, in what has become one of the most notorious shootouts in California's history. In fact, the weapon of one officer, is credited with forcing the suspects to flee the scene, rather than continue the shoot out. 

 

 

His weapon was the only one that matched the fire power of the suspects, which finally gave law enforcement an advantage over the suspects in the armed robbery. It is an unfortunate reality that suspects sometimes have access to more powerful weapons than law enforcement does. This is often the case in armed robbery, which take place while perpetrators utilize their powerful weapons to force victims to comply either through intimidation, or by using their weapons. 

 

 

The Security Pacific Bank robbery has been used as a tool for teaching law enforcement about the possible errors made by officers during a gun battle. In addition, the Security Pacific Bank robbery taught law enforcement that it was vital to be able to match the fire power utilized during armed robbery, in order to give responding officers the advantage.

 

With the incidence of violent crimes increasing in the United States, many violent offenders are now facing lengthy prison sentences. In bank robberycases, the offenders are generally faced with time in maximum security facilities due the severity of robbery charges. In many cases, bank robbery sentences are lengthy because perpetrators usually carry deadly weapons during the commission of the crime. 

In fact, the weapon does not have to be used for it to be considered in a bank robbery sentence. Bank robbery is considered violent even when no weapons are used. The definition of robbery includes the use of force, threats or violence to illegally obtain property. When robberies are committed, victims are present, otherwise it would likely be considered burglary, which incurs lesser sentences.

The FBI usually has jurisdiction over bank robbery cases. This is due to several factors. First, the Federal government insures banks and secondly, the use of firearms can also include criminal charges from the ATF. 

Several branches of the Federal government’s law enforcement agencies are generally utilized to help find evidence used for determining a bank robbery sentence. In fact, bank robbery cases are often very complicated and may include suspects from many states. 

Generally, perpetrators of violent crimes, such a bank robbery, are incarcerated in maximum security federal prisons. In addition, they are likely to serve their sentences in full, because they are unable to obtain parole. Bank robbery sentences depend on many factors including the severity of the crime and whether a deadly weapon was present during the commission of the crime. In addition, if a death resulted from the crime, whether by accident, or intended, the charges will also include felony murder. 

Where breaking and entering charges are often combined with a bank robbery sentence, other crimes that occurred in concurrence with the robbery are treated separately. Felony murder would incur a sentence seperate from a bank robbery sentence.

Bank robbers face criminal charges in federal courts. Often, harsh and lengthy prison sentences are imposed on convicted robbers. In addition, prior offense add to the length and severity of a sentence. Generally, federal prisons do not allow parole for violent offenders and many bank robbers serve their full sentence. 

Bank robberies that include the presentation of a deadly weapon, will incur some of the lengthiest prison sentences. In addition, deaths or injuries that result from the felony crime, will incur additional sentences.

According to FBI crime rate statistics, there were around one thousand and two hundred bank robbery type crimes, in just three months in 2009. That translates to around five thousand bank robbery type crimes in the United States in one year. Surprisingly, that was a decrease from the year before. The FBI's crime rate statistics show some interesting trends in bank robbery. Most robberies occur in the morning and are most likely to happen on Fridays, in the between the hours of nine and eleven. 

 

 

In fact, banks are usually robbed in the early morning, regardless of what day of the week that the crime takes place.  In addition, banks in metropolitan areas are much more likely to be robbed than banks in small towns. Robbers prefer busy areas where it is easier to escape undetected because they are less likely to draw attention in a crowd. In addition, there are many more people located in metropolitan areas, which increases crime rates based on the sheer number of people alone.

 

 

The FBI has released crime rates from the third quarter of 2009. During those three months, over nine million dollars was stolen during the commission of around one thousand and two hundred bank robberies. In ten percent of those robberies, or about one hundred and twenty bank robberies, no loot was taken before the robbers were caught. Only about twenty percent of the nine million dollars was ever recovered and returned to the banks from which it was stolen. 

 

 

During those robberies in the latter part of 2009, violent acts took place in around fifty of the cases. In addition, around thirty people were taken hostage during the commission of the bank robbery. Crime rates indicate that the most common form of intimidation utilized during the commission of bank robbery, was oral demands and threats which were generally followed by a note explaining the perpetrators demands. During the same time period, almost half of all bank robberies took place in the south. 

 

 

In fact, crime rates are usually different across each geographical area in the United States. While bank robbery may be more prevalent in the south, other crimes are more prevalent in the north.

 

 

Crime rate statistics indicate that there is likely to be an increase in bank robberies and other violent crimes across the country. In general, law enforcement, utilizing sociological studies, can determine the chances of an increase in crime rates based on several factors. 

 

 

Many sociologists believe that there will be an increase in violent crimes and crimes against property such as bank robbery, due to the current state of the economy. In fact, the ripple effect caused by bad economic times is already being felt across the country. While crime rates increase, the number of law enforcement decreases due to layoffs and job loss. In addition to an increase in crime rates, less criminals are actually being caught.

 

There have been many famous bank robberies and some have never been solved. The largest bank robbery in history is said to be the robbery of the Central Bank of Iraq in 2003. However, some of that money was eventually recovered in the walls of Saddam Hussein's palace.  Surprisingly, no one was injured during that robbery, as bank employees complied with the demands allegedly made by Saddam Hussein. In addition, the Bank of America robbery of 1998, involved no violence and relied on a simple plan of action. 

 

 

Yet, it was still considered an armed robbery, as the perpetrators carried guns and likely would have used them if necessary. However, some bank robberies are notorious due to the amount of violence perpetrated by the suspects involved. The Security Pacific Bank robbery resulted in a lengthy and violent shootout between law enforcement and the suspects. Several deaths and numerous injuries resulted.

 

 

Some bank robberies gain notoriety because of the copious amounts of cash that thieves manage to carry away. Bank robberies like the one that took place at the Central Bank of Iraq, result in large amounts of cash being stolen without any person suffering injury. Clearly, the employees at the bank were afraid for their lives and complied with the demands of Hussein's son out of fear that likely resulted from intimidation.  

 

 

Other bank robberies are remembered for their intricate and detailed plans which required intense and careful thought. Some robberies take years of planning and often, perpetrators think they have everything covered. However, robbers cannot take human nature and responses into account when considering intervening factors. In the case of the Security Pacific bank, the suspects did not anticipate being noticed before they could complete their plan. The intervening factor of the witness, was one that resulted in a shootout that killed three people and injured countless others.

 

 

Bank robbers sometimes take copious amounts of time to plan every single detail of bank robberies, and others simply act without thinking anything through. In either case, the suspects are likely to be apprehended as bank robbers are caught at a higher rate then perpetrators of most crimes.  Most famous bank robberies, are famous due to the amount of money stolen. 

 

 

Even in those cases, the suspects were usually apprehended shortly after committing the crime. Success is measured by law enforcement according to many factors. First, they are not successful in their efforts if any suspect manages to escape the bank with loot in hand. Second, they hope to apprehend the perpetrators without causing any injuries or deaths. Their most important goal is to prevent bank robberies and apprehend any suspect that is successful in robbing a bank.

 

The Bank of America robbery of 1998 was perpetrated using the advice of an employee at the World Trade Center. That advice on details regarding security and other details, was commissioned by the leader of the crime. In fact, that employee was also convinced to allow his building identification to be utilized during the commission of the bank robbery. Using the advice of the employee, the Bank of America robbery included the use of weapons and fake identification cards for all of the robbers. 

 

 

In addition, timing of the scheduled delivery of the money was noted so that the bank robbery could take place with an efficiency and a speedy exit. The robbers entered the elevator and handcuffed the bank employees while simultaneously taking money from the money cart. They then simply walked out of the elevator, with no one in pursuit. It seemed like the perfect crime.

 

 

The details of the Bank of America robbery are simple in nature. The master mind of the bank robbery utilized a simple plan, which failed to take significant details into account which later resulted in multiple arrests. First, when the robbers entered the building, they failed to conceal their identities. In addition, the leader  chose accomplices that lacked a large degree of common sense, and most had drug problems, which was a factor that helped them all be identified.

 

 

There were other factors that led to their downfall. After the crime was completed, the Bank of America robbery was immediately covered by the news media. In fact, descriptions of the robbers were widely broadcast, since they had not concealed their identities. There was a reward available if any of the suspects were arrested. Soon after the reward was announced, one of the suspects was recognized and immediately reported to police. It is assumed that he gave away the names of his accomplices. Eventually, all of the suspects were apprehended.

 

 

Although the group utilized a simple plan, the first portion of the crime went off without causing any injuries, and without an immediate pursuit. While the initial bank robbery of the Bank of America was successful, the group had not properly planned for the aftermath. In fact, their lack of planning was what eventually led to their arrests. 

 

 

One suspect was seen in pubic with large amounts of cash that he could not explain and police pursued him until he was caught. Eventually, all of them were apprehended do a lack of planning for the time proceeding the crime. While most of the suspects faced a myriad of charges as a result of the bank robbery, the mastermind became an informant for the FBI, reducing his charges.

 

The bank robbery that took place at the Central Bank of Iraq in 2003, is said to be the largest cash heist in the history of the world. It is claimed that Saddam Hussein perpetrated the bank robbery, because he was expecting United States forces to be in the area at any moment. 

 

 

He knew that once forces arrived, he would be unable to maintain control of the banks and other institutions. In addition, it is believed that he planned to get the money in order to prepare to flee the country. The money acquired through the bank robbery of the Central Bank of Iraq would have been sufficient to maintain his lifestyle, while maintaining the lifestyle of his family and trusted associates. If he had disappeared with the money, he may have been able to avoid capture, simply due the available resources within his disposal. In fact, many wonder why he did not flee once he obtained the cash.

 

 

The exact details of the bank robbery of the Central Bank of Iraq are not clear. It is alleged that a group of men, which included Hussein's son, went to the bank with large trucks. Upon arrival, they demanded almost one billion dollars in cash which was loaded into the trucks over a period of hours. 

 

 

It is also claimed that the total of one billion dollars was actually stolen over a number of days throughout the month in which United States forces began their bombing campaign in the area. Eventually, a majority of the money was found stashed in the walls of Husein's palace. 

 

 

However, much of the money remains unaccounted for to this day. Although there was evidence found that suggests the involvement of Hussein and his son, it has never been determined what other individuals may have been involved in the bank robbery of the Central bank of Iraq.

 

 

The bank robbery of the Central Bank or Iraq is still said to be the largest cash heist ever recorded. While details of the event remain sketchy, it is believed that Hussein gave his son a note to force bank executives to allow his son to withdraw the money. While most of the money was eventually recovered by US forces, some of it remains unaccounted for. 

 

 

It has never been determined what other individuals were involved in the bank robbery, but is assumed that they are in possession of the remaining missing cash. Saddam and his son were killed as a result of the war with the United States. However, it is unlikely that this bank robbery will lose its title as the largest cash heist in history, any time in the immediate future.