Bank Customers Becoming Easy Prey For Robbers
Bank customers continue to be easy prey for anti-socials despite tougher bank security protocols, especially at the state banks, where armed security guards keep an eye on who is going in and out of the bank, no use of cellular phones, sunglasses and hats, and every person is check with a metal detector. The private banks are less stringent.

However, with all that security inside the bank, customers continue to be attacked outside the banks, as in the latest case of Adonay Coto, who after exiting the Banco Popular branch in Cartago was intercepted by two assailants on a motorcycle.

The man robbed of his money he has just withdrawn and on his way back to his wood shop, and shot and killed. Thursday, Gilbert Isidro Cruz, was the victim of a similar crime, when he was robbed of some ¢2 million colones (us$3.820) he has just withdrawn from the Banco Nacional in Desemparados, when he was intercepted two blocks from the bank, robbed, shot and killed.

Police report 10 cases so far this year of customers being attacked after leaving the bank with the cash withdrawls.

Inside the banks, customers are made to feel safe and secure. Armed guards, in some cases brandishing shotguns and video surveillance cameras ensure deterrence of an attack inside the banks. At branches outside the downtown core, the bank security extends to the parking lot, keeping an eye on suspicious activity. However, once the customer is a distance from the bank, that is where they are most vulnerable.

In the bank, anti-socials mix in with customers inside the bank to keep an eye for customers making large cash witdhrawls and then communicate the information to associates outside, who lying in waiting for the unsuspecting. In the past, cellular phones were used to communicate, now, authorities say, that the anti-socials keep a close distance with their target, waiting patiently as they complete their transaction and are then followed outside, where the mark is then clearly identified to the accomplices, who it seems are shooting first without contemplation.

Customers of state banks seem to be targeted more than in private banks. There are more customers in line at the state banks, giving anti-socials more choice and easier to blend in with other customers.

Banking officials are keeping quiet on the current trend, refusing to make any public comment, only asking customers to be more aware of their surroundings and use electronic banking, including internet, to make their payment and avoid making large cash withdrawls.

Bank security officials recommend being accompanied when making large cash withdrawls.