Corona Daily 404: Sweatshirt, Hoodie, Surgical Mask and Backpack

On 4 June, two men entered the Liberty Bank on Crowder Boulevard in New Orleans. Based on CCTV evidence, the FBI statement provided their details. Both were African American males, aged anywhere between 17-25. The taller in height (6’- 6’2”) was lighter (160-180 pounds). He wore all black with red lettering on the hoodie, a blue medical mask and a blue/black backpack. The other male (5’6”-5’9”/180-200 pounds) wore a grey hoodie, black t-shirt, black hat, blue medical mask and pink/white backpack. The two robbed the bank and left on foot with an undisclosed amount. Anyone with information is requested to contact the FBI or police. You may offer information anonymously.

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On the same day, in the Citizens Bank of Plainfield Pike in Cranston, a man presented a note to the teller demanding cash. As much as is known, he carried no weapon. The man in a gray baggy sweatshirt, surgical mask, black champion football cap, white sneakers with white laces left the bank on foot, with an undisclosed amount.

In June 2020, America’s bank robbery database is soaring as rapidly as its corona cases. Most robberies were similar - surgical mask, hood, note to the teller, no weapons, no violence, leaving on foot.

Some minor variations. In the Citizens Bank at 1798 Smith street (19 June), the masked man wore gloves as well and gave the teller a plastic bag along with the note. At CVS at Harbour Boulevard in Destin (9 June), a white male wearing a mask, sunglasses and a pulled down hat demanded narcotics.

Someone the police nicknamed “double dipper bandit” robbed the Chase bank at S.Tower road twice (5 May/ 2 June). He is described as a white male, 30-40 age, 6 feet, and thin build. (Maybe the bank can add him to its payroll.)

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The case of Richard Kuder, 23, was different. On 11 June, he handed a note to the teller of the Central bank (Ozarks, Springfield). He took $7200 from the teller. Then he moved to the front of the CCTV, removed his mask to show his full face. That afternoon, he paid his overdue rent and bought presents for his girlfriend and her son. On 16 June, he gave his written confession. He is now in jail. Before you feel sorry for him, you should know he has been to jail many times. This was probably his straightforward plan to go back there.

It’s heartening to see many white males among the robbers. They have saved many black men from being identified as bank robbers by default.

Most bank robberies have happened in the USA, I suppose, because it is a nation that has more guns than people. A bank teller assumes the masked man has a gun even when he doesn’t.

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In India’s state of Haryana, the police have made it compulsory to remove the mask in front of CCTV once before entering a bank.

Software wizards have started working on taking face recognition to the next level. There are reports Apple’s face recognition fails when a mask is worn. This month, Sensory, a Silicon Valley Company, has introduced its new platform, TrulySecure. Its features make it a pandemic special. It can recognize users wearing masks. (TrulySecure claims to accurately detect coughs and sneezes as well.)

Masked bank robbers may have a very small window before CCTVs can see through the masks.

Ravi