Massive robbery at Philly bank

A PNC Bank in Somerton, Philadelphia was the victim of a massive robbery in late October. Security cameras in the bank show it being taken over by two gunmen at 8am on October 23.

The first employee to arrive at the bank was forced to allow the gunmen in.

Authorities say the plan was meticulously thought-out, as the suspects appeared to be communicating with people outside – who seemed to be telling the robbers the exact times when other employees would arrive. The total amount stolen is believed to exceed sums taken during other robberies over the past five to six years in the state, including a robbery at a Nova Savings bank in Philadelphia last year where $250,000 was stolen.

The bank's vault, every teller drawer and two cash machines were emptied.The robbers' final act before fleeing the scene was to lock the bank's employees in the vault.

Bank robbery is a growing risk issue in the US, in terms of physical damage to buildings, monies taken, and both physical and psychological harm caused to employees.