About

Robbing a bank is as simple as putting pen to paper. Here are actual demand notes used in successful and unsuccessful unarmed bank robberies - - accompanied by a photo of each robber and appended with details about the robbery itself.

= a successful robbery

= an unsuccessful robbery


Compiled by Ken Habarta

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3 August 11

I need all the money you have
my son is being held hostage
and the money will save his life

female, 30, Bank of the West, El Cajon CA, $309

** arrested 2 weeks later in local hotel

Comments
13 July 11

$100s, $50s and $10s
I have a gun

male, 20s, Fifth Third Bank, South Bend IN, 4:30p

** suspect surprised teller by returning some of the money before leaving, saying “Here’s some of the tens back…you gave me too many”

Comments
30 June 11

$100s, $50s and $10s
Now
I have a gun

male, 20s, Fifth Third Bank, South Bend IN, 5:45p

** suspect returned to teller and gave her back some tens (!)

Comments
23 June 11

this is a robbery
put all the money in the bag

male, 20s, Sovereign Bank, Melrose MA, 12:15p

Comments
27 May 11

100s and 50s
I have a gun

male, 30s, West Bank, Des Moines IA, 4:55p

Comments
25 May 11

Give me all your money
and you wont be hurt

male, 20s, Key Bank, Canal Winchester OH, 9:03a

Comments
24 May 11

Bomb strapped on me. Put money in the bag.

female, 41, Chase Bank, Oroville CA, $4000

** suspect arrested in local WalMart 2 days later

Comments
18 May 11

I have a gun! Give me the cash!

male, 27, Warsaw Federal Loan and Savings, East Price Hill OH, 1:40p

** suspect caught at his home

Comments
13 May 11

Don’t be brave,
give me the money
and nobody gets hurt.
I will shoot you.

male, 22, Dollar General, Louisville TN, 11:35a

Comments
2 May 11

fill the envelope with big bills
or my knife comes out

male, 28, Key Bank, Park City CO, $3600

** captured 3 hours later; id’d from surveillance photo

Comments
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