The anatomy of a bank robber

The plan was simple. We would hit the bank just before peak-hour and take it over. I was the “collector” or the “money man” whose job was to jump the counter and scoop all the notes from the cashiers’ drawers. If there was enough time to take the vault then that would go too.

The Pom, who acted as “crowd controller” inside the bank, had an ear-piece connected to a scanner on his belt - our early warning device tuned into the police wavelength.

We had a pre-arranged signal. At the first hint of trouble we would leave immediately with the money already jammed into the bag I was carrying. If the alarm was raised the police would lose valuable time getting to a bank in the heart of the city in peak hour traffic, giving us valuable time to make our escape.

Our getaway tactic was equally simple. We adopted the chameleon deception of blending into our surroundings. Decked out like cleaners or mechanics in boiler-suits enabled us to walk the city streets without attracting undue attention. And suits and ties underneath would enable us to blend in and disappear among the Brisbane office workers cascading onto the streets at knock-off time.

At just on 4.30pm we hit the bank. The Pom took over crowd control near the entrance as I hurdled the counter. Shocked surprise was evident on the faces of staff and customers alike.

I ordered everyone to the floor and began quickly and methodically emptying all the cash drawers. I had finished emptying the last teller’s cage when I glanced at the Pom - no signal. I still had time.

I went to the vault and ordered a teller to open it.

He was a young guy, early to mid-20s, tall and lanky and wearing a short-sleeved shirt. He began fumbling with the keys, and looked at me as he tried to get the keys to work. Then he did a strange thing: he smiled, then giggled - and continued giggling as he fumbled with the keys.

He was wasting valuable time, but instinct told me he was going into shock. Stressful situations create unpredictable reactions. The complexity of bank robbery is being able to manage those situations without resorting to violence in the heat of the moment.

A female teller lay on the floor near the vault.

“He can’t open it,” she said.

“Can you?” I asked. It was more a question than a demand.