“Chicago has set a new record.

The F.B.I. says the Chicago area has seen 212 bank robberies this year, the highest number in its history.

Special Agent John Diwik says the previous high was 10 years ago, when there were 195.

Diwik says, ""There’s more opportunity today for a robber based on the fact that there are branch banks in every grocery store and in nearly every strip mall that you might pass.""

Diwik says those branches are vulnerable because they often have more potential escape routes for robbers than traditional banks.

He says thieves are also becoming more aggressive.

Instead of asking tellers to hand over cash, they’re going behind counters and into vaults.

Diwik says authorities expect more attempted robberies as the Christmas season approaches.



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