From 2021 to 2023, Colorado led the United States in a dubious category – it had the highest number of bank robberies per capita. The trend was an alarming one for law enforcement authorities who had to devise cutting-edge tactics to stem the tide of this crime surge.
On a chilling January 2nd, 2024, a man in a white jacket and black pants, his identity hidden under a ski mask and gloves, entered a bank in Colorado. He calmly slid a hand-written note to the unsuspecting teller that read: ‘Please remain calm, I won’t harm you.’ Professionally trained to handle such situations, the teller cooperated.
The man exited the bank with a meager $385. But what he left behind was far more significant. His unique shuffling gait and his choice of attire granted him an unusual sobriquet. The Federal Bureau of Investigation would later address him as the ‘Penguin Bandit.’
The Penguin Bandit’s peculiar shuffling walk, reminiscent of a wind up toy or a penguin, was what earned him his nickname. However, he was not an isolated case. Instead, he was part of a series of serial offenders that played a major role in Colorado leading the nation in bank robberies per capita.
According to figures from the FBI, for three successive years commencing in 2021, Colorado’s bank robberies surpassed those of any other state when adjusted for population size. This trend was exceptionally troubling and necessitated quick and effective responses from the law enforcement fraternity.
Brian Dunn, a Deputy U.S. Attorney in Colorado, ventured a theory for this alarming increase in bank robberies. He cited the Covid-19 pandemic as a potential contributing factor. It had become normal for people to cover their faces in public places, including banks, making it easier for potential criminals to blend in.
The mask culture, born out of necessity to combat a global health crisis, had inadvertently made it easier for individuals to commit such acts of crime. The use of masks in public places, which was initiated for public health safety, was becoming a shield for those intending to disrupt this safety.
Moreover, the rise in bank heists was thought to parallel another crisis unfolding in the state. Colorado found itself in the midst of a worsening opioid epidemic. The acceleration of this issue saw an increasing number of individuals resort to desperate measures to fund their addictions, and banks appeared to be an easy target for many.
Law enforcement agencies noted a disturbing correlation between the deepening opioid epidemic and the bank robbery surge. With addiction gripping an increasing number of citizens, they turned towards reckless and dangerous ways to feed their habits. Robbing banks became one of the methods of filling their needs, regardless of the risks involved.
The explosive combination of the Covid-19 pandemic-induced changes in social norms and the addiction crisis created a perfect storm, enabling individuals to pursue risky paths for their survival. Banks became the unsuspecting victims, caught in the crossfire of these concurrent crises.
The bank robbery burst wasn’t just a crime statistic. Instead, it painted a grim picture of the economic and health challenges that the state of Colorado faced. The surge in crime was a manifestation of deeper societal issues propelled by changes brought about by both the pandemic and the opioid crisis.
The efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb this wave of crime were significant and innovative. Nonetheless, their job was made increasingly complex by the rapidly evolving landscape of social norms and the deep-seated issues of drug addiction that turned individuals towards such desperate measures.
While Colorado’s position as the state with the highest number of bank robberies per capita for three years was a cause for concern, it was also an urgent call for more robust health, economic, and social support systems. The ‘Penguin Bandit’ and others were symptomatic of the underlying challenges that society faced.
More than the crime spree, these events underscore the need for society to address and confront the deepening issues of addiction and crime. As Colorado’s experience shows, these aren’t isolated problems. Instead, they are warning signals of a larger societal crisis, demanding immediate attention.