# What would the charges be..?\[phony bank stick-up\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 24, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510 "2014-06-24T03:36:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510/21 "2014-06-24T13:12:53Z")
> [@chiroptera](#): > > After a rash of armed bank robberies last summer, many banks in my area now have security guards (one of whom shot and killed a wannabee armed bank robber last year.) I’ve seen signs warning people not to wear hats or sunglasses while conducting bank business. > > Banks have pretty much zero sense of humor when it comes to unusual stunts, IMHO. This goes against the trend: > [@](#): > > The number of robberies on British bank branches has dropped by 90% in the past decade, figures from the British Bankers Association suggest. > > The BBA said there were 66 robberies in 2011, compared to 847 in 1992. > > The drop has been attributed to a raft of innovative technologies making it extremely difficult for “traditional” robbery tactics to work. > [@](#): > > A similar trend has been noted in the US, where FBI figures for 2012 put the number of bank robberies nationwide at 3,870 - the lowest in decades. > > In an effort to deter criminals and make branch workers safer, banks have made significant investments in security technology. > > These range from simple barriers - which drop down when a panic button is pressed - to special “fog” that disorientates criminals. > > “DNA” spray is another common deterrent - robbers are coated with a unique, traceable material that is extremely difficult to wash off skin and can prove that a suspect was at the premises of a robbery. > **[Days of the 'bank job' are numbered, report suggests](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25526671)** > > Robberies on British bank branches have dropped by 90% in the past decade, figures suggest, citing better technology for the decline. ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510/22 "2014-06-24T13:20:45Z")
Ask [Rémi Gaillard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9mi_Gaillard), although the French may have more tolerance for this type of prank. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510/23 "2014-06-24T13:49:42Z")
If you do get arrested, hopefully the officers will point out that you have the right to sing the blues. ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510/24 "2014-06-24T13:51:37Z")
> [@HelloKindWorld](#): > > Thought just crossed my mind… what if a criminal or group of criminals hired your band to play for them while they are committing crimes? Say they do rob a bank, and you and your band stay back and play whatever song they request, not actually getting involved with the robbery… could that be grounds for being charged with accessory? There is novel by Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre that posits a scenario a bit like this, kinda, if you squint a bit. It’s called _The Sacred Art of Stealing_ and, while it’s not a particularly good novel, the premise is interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Qwakkeddup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/90ced4/32.png) [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510/25 "2014-06-24T14:24:55Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > When you go before the Judge in court you should just break out into another number with your band, to help him get the joke. Surely there must be a good video you could re-enact that happens in a courtroom? [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RmZdvVnMXCc/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHUAYACoAGKAgwIABABGGUgVihOMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBxWfsKPa7pmWYV_Hd9bnVgdgrOOA "Sam Cooke "Chain Gang"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmZdvVnMXCc) Fitting, yes? ---
**Author:** ![HelloKindWorld](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e79b87/32.png) [@HelloKindWorld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKindWorld)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510/26 "2014-06-24T14:41:53Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > If you do get arrested, hopefully the officers will point out that you have the right to sing the blues. Hah 😃 Maybe if they squeezed me for information, I might start whistling a tune. > [@PaulParkhead](#): > > There is novel by Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre that posits a scenario a bit like this, kinda, if you squint a bit. It’s called _The Sacred Art of Stealing_ and, while it’s not a particularly good novel, the premise is interesting. Just gave the summary a read… and that does sound interesting, will have to pick it up when I get the chance. Long overdue for a good read, anyways. > [@bob\_2](#): > > Given that bank robbers are usually serious people with a wish to obtain lots of cash with as little effort as possible, I can’t honestly see why they would do this. Psh, well you obviously wouldn’t make a very fun bank robber. =P Assuming they _did_ decide to hire a band, though. Actually, another question in addition to my second one… what if your band took it upon themselves to follow criminals and play songs as they committed crimes? Would there be the same potential charges if the criminals hired your band to play for them, as opposed to your band following criminals around and playing for them without them asking you to? … Assuming that you didn’t just get shot by the criminals for doing this, that is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-charges-be-phony-bank-stick-up/691510.md?page=1)