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

The Book

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Do It Yourself

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28 February 10

Now we need you to wait ten (10) minutes
and then tell your manager
to call the Police
and evacuate the bank.
Tell there are four (4) explosive devices in the bank,
we don’t want anyone to get hurt.
You can feel good you saved yourself,
your family
and a lot of people in the bank.

male, 34, National Bank, Wellington NZ, 2:40p

** note 3 of 3 (see note 1, note 2) inside Christmas card handed to teller by unsuspecting passerby, suspect waited outside of bank; apprehended through surveillance images

Comments
21 February 10

If you alert the police,
this place will be blown up.
Give me everything you have.

male, 24, Riverside National Bank, Royal Palm Beach FL, $6620

** lost cash in leap over fence; apprehended in his hotel room,
located next to the bank

Comments
31 January 10

I need help
I have a gun
give me this amount $5000.00.
I’m kidnapped.
Do not call the police

female, 35, PNC Bank, Clifton NJ, $760

** Note translated from Spanish.  Arrested two weeks later during an attempt to rob a different PNC Bank branch located in Clifton

Comments
25 November 09

I have a gun.
I want all the $100, $50 and $20.
Don’t call the police
or I will come back for you.

male, 42, TCF Bank, Minneapolis MN, $3760

** arrested 30 minutes later waiting for bus!

Comments
16 October 09

Give me $5,000 or die.
No dye packs. No police.

male, mid 30s, TD Banknorth, ??, $3250

Comments
24 September 09

Think!
I have a bomb
that can level this bank.
All you have to do is act
like this is a transaction
and keep calm.
Please do not push any alarms
or act nervous.
No blue packs.
Keep enough money
for one more transaction
because that is the time
I need to get away.
You have three minutes.
By the time I go
you can tell someone.
I have a police monitor
and a remote for the bomb,
so don’t screw up
or we will all go.
I don’t want to hurt anyone.

male, 40s, Nations Bank, Raleigh, NC, $2740

Comments
15 September 09

Give me $5,000 or die.
No dye packs. No police.

male, mid 30s, TD Banknorth, ??, $3250

Comments
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