NCJ Number
178986
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: 1999 Pages: 53-61
Date Published
1999
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article examines the perceptions of 28 convicted bank robbers in South Africa.
Abstract
The crime of bank robbery involves four phases: planning, execution, disposal and reconsideration. The focus of the article is on the perceptions of 28 convicted robbers in South Africa obtained during in-depth interviews in 1995. Decision-making and rationalization were prominent in the bank robbers' modus operandi. Bank robbery was perceived as having a number of benefits, not least of which was a low risk of getting caught; most of the group were arrested after committing more than one bank robbery over a period of time varying from several weeks to a number of years. The majority of subjects took definite actions regarding their criminal action; they did not act on the spur of the moment. Their attitude during the robberies was characterized by self-confidence, a refusal to tolerate resistance from anyone (tellers, clients or police), sense of purpose, moral considerations, aversion to violence, charisma, cognitive ability and materialism. Notes