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(10/9/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - A robber threatened to shoot everyone in the bank if he didn't get what he wanted.
The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public's assistance in identifying a man who robbed the Chase Bank at 9531 Southwest Freeway at about noon today.

The robber approached the counter and handed the teller a note which stated that he had a gun and that he wanted money. When the teller hesitated, the robber threatened to shoot everyone in the bank. The teller handed over the cash, and the robber left the bank on foot. No one was physically hurt.

The robber is described as an Hispanic male, approximately 30 years old, 5'6" tall, 130-140 pounds, with a mustache. He was wearing a camouflage baseball cap, striped polo shirt and blue jeans.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the charging and arrest of this robber, or any felony suspect. If you have information regarding this case, contact the FBI at 713-693-5000 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Was reading yesterday of another bank robbery where the suspect took an employee hostage and forced another employee inside the bank to unlock the door and let them in. He then proceeded to make them open the vault and robbed them of all cash. Was going to post this today but now this new bank robbery falls in line with my question.

What do you have ran through in your mind for a scenario where there might be a hostage. What decisions will you have to make? Is it them or you?

For example, the robbery where the employee unlocked the door when the other was held at gunpoint outside. Would you have opened the door? Or is someone taking one for the team.

I am a banker, the money is insured . . . take it all.

I go back and forth about caring in the lobby, right now I don’t. I certainly do in my truck, and often retrieve it mid day if I am going to work late/close. And take it on all customer calls.

I probably should carry all day.

Quote: "I probably should carry all day."

Yes, sir. In that biz, you got that right.

Its a bank..the money is insured

The LIVES are not...situation dependent, way to many variable

The robber threatened to kill everyone in the bank.....say he turns around and makes that verbal to all customers.

He starts getting aggravated, flaring the gun around, maybe a few rounds to scare go out towards the ceiling.

You are a carrying, have the open shot with no accidental hits. He is being careless and could easily shoot anyone just for fun.

Do you take him down?

I would say yes, isnt that one of the reasons we have our license's? Remember Luby's.

HEMIzygote wrote:The robber threatened to kill everyone in the bank.....say he turns around and makes that verbal to all customers.

He starts getting aggravated, flaring the gun around, maybe a few rounds to scare go out towards the ceiling.

You are a carrying, have the open shot with no accidental hits. He is being careless and could easily shoot anyone just for fun.

Do you take him down?

Yes I will stop him from harming anyone in the bank at that point.

Both my wife and I work for at a bank...currently the same bank. Prior to my wife coming to work where i do, she worked at a traditional bank with a lobby and etc. (now we both work for a bank of banks and do not have teller lines or an open lobby). I would agree that the money is insured and to just let the BG have it and be on his way.

Anyway, while at her old job someone walked in and demanded money from one of the tellers. My wife being in close proximity to the situation hit the silent alarm. My wife thought the teller (a male) would simply give up the cash so the BG would be on his way. To my wife's shock and horror, the teller became belligerent with the would be robber...saying things like your kidding me right! The BG got agitated with the teller and demanded that he comply. The teller said to the BG that all he had was coins if he wanted it (even though a tray of cash was right behind him). The BG new he was running out of time and left without getting a dime. The cops never found him.

Although no weapon was displayed and everything worked out in the end, the teller who refused to give up the cash really put everyone in the lobby at risk. BTW...Bank policy is to comply and give up the money. After the fact, the others employees in the lobby where fairly upset with the teller for making a choice that put them all at risk. Management did not do anything about the teller actions and simply told him to give it next time.

Now, here is the million dollar question. Bank policy states that employees are not allowed to carry firearms. Had things gone bad because of the teller’s refusal to give it up...would the bank be liable had the BG gone ballistic on the employees? Has the bank done it part, within reason, to protect the employees by simply having cameras and policies in place (no security guard or anything...no bullet resistant glass or anything)?

How about if the robbers found out you have a gun then gets more aggravated, maybe shoot you outright? That would be the the worse case. THey already have guns drawn and finger on the trigger.
Good luck, Every situation is different. You might end up dead among the rest bec they think youare undercover cop.

You know, the thing that still gets me is the "Comply with all orders" mentality that people have.

Don't get me wrong, I agree that the money is insured.

BUT


Sometimes enough is enough. If people actually fought back instead of "Yes sir Mr. Robber sir, I will do whatever you say, just don't harm too many of us!", I would venture to say there would be A LOT less robberies, burglaries, and all in all a dramatic drop in crime.

Isn't that why Texas has a CHL program? Hasn't every single state that has passed a concealed weapons program either seen a drop in crime, or stopped the rise in crime?

I would normally agree with your statement. However in the situation I mentioned above, the teller had no plan or means to protect himself or others in case there was in fact a weapon. That being said, he still chose to put everyone (none of whom had a means of defense either) at greater risk. He should have given up the money. He is lucky everything worked out in the end.

Its the "get me and i ll get you culture."

Hey Russel, i'm kinda with you on the whole deal. My original thoughts on this matters is about the bank employee exposing you to a possible deadly situation. TX_ Jim also touch on it in his experience at the bank with his other employee. In my original post, i talked about that bank robbery where the suspect was outside a closed door holding an arriving employee hostage and the employee inside opened the door to let them in "for whatever reason."

That is where my decision making issues come in. Am i going to let someone expose me to potential harm. Like Russel said, I am not worried about the money; but if we are seperated by a barrier, why should I let a suspect gain access to me physically.

Suppose you were in the bank lobby and robbers got caught between the buzz in doors with another person/employee. DO you let them in...what is the banks policy then.....do I have a say since I'm in the mix now???? Is anyone going to touch that buzzer if you standing there with your firearm ready????