By: Matt Detlefsen, Reporter
OMAHA, Neb. – In 2021, Nebraska had 238 reported robberies, according to Statista. In fact, two suspects have recently been arrested for a bank robbery in Omaha from January.
Bank robberies are at record lows, but they’re still a high prolific crime. Liberty First Credit Union Branch Manager Zach Lake said financial institutions are always in contact.
“We communicate with all credit unions and banks across Omaha and actually even across Nebraska to let them know there’s a possible casing coming out,” Lake said. “Maybe they’re hitting multiple one time, things like that. Just so they’re away. And those things go out instantly to all of our emails, all of the managers emails.”
Robbers often visit the place or places of interest days beforehand, essentially getting a scouting report, otherwise known as “casing”.
Photo by Matt Detlefsen, March 24, 2023.
However, financial institutions note and report any suspicious behavior and communicate with each other across the entire state.
“We watch people as they walk in the door,” Lake said. “We want to always make sure we interact with them as they’re just five feet inside the building and then another 10 feet inside. They’re aware that we’re there.”
Movies have portrayed robberies with loads of action and thickening plots but lead teller Brittany Still says the goal is to be as quick as possible to ensure safety.
Photo by Matt Detlefsen, March 24, 2023.
“We try and get them out as fast as we can,” Still said. “We are insured so it’s like it’s going to be that much of a problem for us and we do have security things that can help get them caught if they were to disperse that money.”
Still also said their credit union also trains twice a year for these situations, including 24/7 access to it online.
