| Bank robbery is still alive and well in these times of high | | | | After many twists and turn is comes out that Wells |
| tech crimes. Some go off without a hitch and some go | | | | was one of a group of conspirators headed by |
| off like the Titanic. Here's a list of some of the less | | | | Kenneth Barnes. He wanted the cash to have his |
| successful ventures: | | | | girlfriend's father murdered. Apparently, it wasn't until |
| Terror in Tinseltown | | | | the last minute that Barnes told Wells the bomb was |
| February 1997 Los Angeles citizens stayed glued to | | | | real. Eventually all the conspirators were caught but |
| their TV as Larry Phillips and Emil Matasareanu robbed | | | | now the police had to deal with a new kind of crime: |
| the Bank of America on Laurel Canyon. Afterwards, | | | | Robbery by proxy. |
| they brazenly fought the LAPD in an intense gun battle | | | | |
| right in the streets of Hollywood. The duo was | | | | Forget Something, Genius? |
| outfitted with body armor that stopped police pistol | | | | Never underestimate the power of a question. A bank |
| rounds and automatic rifles that had the cops ducking | | | | teller in New Hudson, Michigan foiled her bank robber |
| for cover. In 44 minutes both robbers were dead (ten | | | | simply by asking him if he had a bag in which she could |
| police officers and seven civilians were also injured). | | | | put the money. Apparently he didn't because he then |
| The shootout, which was broadcast all over the world | | | | ran off with out a second thought. Oakland County |
| let everyone know one more time why LA is | | | | Sheriff Tom Bisio said "she must have flustered" her |
| sometimes called "The Bank Robbery Capital of the | | | | would be robber. Maybe wanted go get some |
| World." | | | | environmentally friendly canvas bags to carry his |
| Super Senior Stopping Power | | | | green. |
| When Daniel Ginly went into the US Bank in Dayton, | | | | BYO Car |
| Ohio he kept an eye out for anyone who might give | | | | Robert Michael Varela pulled of his heist in Whitter, CA |
| him trouble, particularly guards and cops. Unfortunately | | | | and ran straight into the open door of his waiting cab. |
| he didn't pay much attention to 70 year old James | | | | Unfortunately the dye pack the teller slipped in |
| Matteson. After stealing the money from the teller he | | | | exploded. He ditched everything (including his now |
| ordered the "old man" out of his way. What he didn't | | | | red-dyed jacket) and tried to hop a public bus. The bus, |
| know was that Matteson was a Korean War vet. The | | | | however was on a lay over and 20 minutes later the |
| geriatric crime fighter slammed Ginly against the wall | | | | police picked him up. Next time he'll know to bring his |
| and held him down long enough for the police to arrive | | | | own wheels. |
| (even after Ginly slashed him with a knife). Where-to | | | | Not so Clean Getaway |
| next for our hero? He went off to a reunion for Polish | | | | Mental note: maybe bikes would be better for bank |
| veterans. Guess who had a new war story to share? | | | | robbery getaways than cars. Bank robbers in |
| A Real Pain in the Neck | | | | Hampton UK started off alright. They got the money, |
| It was like something out of a Saw movie. Brian Wells | | | | they got out, and they didn't kill any one. They were |
| robbed a bank. But when the police caught up with him | | | | doing fine until they crashed right into a police car. |
| he says that he was forced to commit the crime. | | | | When the patrolman came to their window speeding |
| Then a small bomb goes off around his neck, killing him. | | | | was only the least of their problems! |