A sophisticated criminal crew orchestrated a $4 million bank robbery campaign across California, Oregon, and Washington, as reported by Natalie O’Neill and Jennie Taer in the New York Post.
Using disguises, blowtorches, and cell-signal jammers, they evaded detection while targeting 29 banks and credit unions. Federal prosecutors unraveled the elaborate bank heist operation, linking the thieves to at least two dozen incidents between May and October 2024.
Advanced Bank Robbery Tactics Used by the Criminal Crew
The crew rented Airbnb properties near targets and spent days scouting sites. They used props like hard hats and construction vests to appear inconspicuous, often accessing banks by breaching walls of adjacent businesses. In one case, they cut through a pet spa wall to reach a Wells Fargo vault, absconding with $247,000.
Sophisticated Bank Robbery Techniques
Other tactics to steal money from the banks included the use of:
- Cell-signal jammers to disable wireless alarms
- High-powered tools such as blowtorches and saws to break through vaults
- Surveillance measures to test structural weaknesses while distracting employees
AirTag Leads to the Bank Heist Crew’s Capture
An unwitting misstep led to their capture. Authorities traced an Apple AirTag left in a rented Chevrolet Suburban back to Alex Moyano Morales, the plot’s alleged ringleader. The tracker revealed the vehicle’s links to multiple crime scenes. Subsequent raids uncovered robbery tools, disguises, and over $100,000 in cash.
Bank Security Lessons for Banking Professionals
This case highlights bank vulnerabilities that can be mitigated by:
- Upgrading alarm systems thar are hardwired to counter cell-signal jammers
- Monitoring adjacent properties to ensure that neighboring businesses maintain robust security, especially after hours
- Strengthening surveillance through the use of 360-degree cameras and advanced motion detection to identify unusual activities around premises
- Collaborating with law enforcement to detect patterns across various jurisdictions
- Auditing nearby rental activity (especially short-term patterns) to identify potential staging sites.
Read the article about the bank heist crew at the New York Post for more information.
