Northern Virginia Sees Six Bank Robberies in 10 Days

While December is a time for many to enjoy the holiday season, it’s also a time when police are on alert for an uptick in bank robberies in their jurisdictions. Last year, DC and Northern Virginia saw 17 robberies, three times the usual number for any month.

Law enforcement is actively sharing information with banks and the public to create heightened awareness of this issue and warn individuals who may be inclined to rob or attempt to rob banks of law enforcement’s increased focus, according to an FBI news release.

Of the 17 bank robberies last December, 13 have been solved. The majority of bank robberies committed during this time frame involved “crews” of robbers who hit more than once or were committed by lone serial robbers.

According to U.S. News: The average bank robbery nets $4,330. Most commonly, perpetrators used a demand note or the threat of a weapon, without actually showing one, U.S. News says.

Most banks are robbed on Fridays, according to The Financial Brand, with 9-10 a.m. the most popular time of day.

So far this December, Northern Virginia has seen six bank robberies. The robberies have been spread out across the area, with robbers hitting banks in Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Falls Church, McLean and Reston.

The most recent robberies took place on Wednesday — one in Reston and one in Alexandria. Here’s where they’ve hit so far, starting with the most recent (click on links for more information):

• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Wells Fargo Bank in Reston Town Center; Reston also saw a robbery on Nov. 26., when a man robbed a bank wearing a ski-mask.

• Wednesday, Dec. 10: Wells Fargo Bank in Old Town Alexandria; FBI says suspect — who wears suits and scarves and carries a brief case — may also have robbed Presidential Bank on Nov. 10 in Arlington and Premier Bank Dec. 4 in DC.

• Monday, Dec. 8: United Bank in Falls Church; suspect was wearing a black North Face jacket.

• Saturday, Dec. 6: Capitol One Bank inside the Ballston shopping center; suspect robbed the bank wearing large headphones around his neck.

• Friday, Dec. 5: Wells Fargo Bank, McLean; suspect wore a Halloween mask

• Thursday, Dec. 4: (This robbery was not in Northern Virginia but has a Northern Virginia connection.) Premier Bank, DC; police think suspect is same man — the sharp dresser — who robbed the Wells Fargo Bank in Old Town Alexandria on Dec. 10 and Presidential Bank Nov. 10 in Arlington.

• Monday, Dec. 1: M&T Bank in Annandale; police think the suspect is responsible for two other robberies in November, a Nov. 20 robbery in Alexandria and Nov. 14 at the same M&T Bank in Annandale.

Punishment for bank robbery varies depending upon the value of money and property taken, according to lawinfo.com. If the amount taken is more than $100 the penalty is a fine and a maximum sentence is 10 years. If the amount is less than $100 the penalty is a fine and incarceration up to one year.

Imprisonment for a maximum of 25 years and a fine is imposed if:

• A dangerous or weapon or device is involved
• Anyone other than the perpetrator is assaulted
• Anyone’s life, other than the perpetrator’s, was in jeopardy
• Anyone other than the perpetrator is killed

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest and conviction of any bank robber. Contact your local police department if you have any information to share about any of these robberies.