An Unnecessary Culture of Silence

It seems the FBI is watching too many cop shows.  Agents appear to be very confused.  Everybody knows a criminal is supposed to ask for his lawyer then shut up the moment he is interrogated.  The crazy thing is, that’s exactly what the FBI does when confronted by the media.

It’s actually very silly and sadly it makes the FBI look like a bunch of buffoons.  I understand not wanting to give away investigative techniques or certain pieces of evidence, but refusing to tell reporters the basic facts is flat out wrong.  Yesterday’s news conference held by the FBI was classic.

My friend Steve Thompson with the Dallas Morning News just wanted to know where the arrested Scarecrow Bandits are being held.  “I’m not going into that,” replied Special Agent in Charge Robert Casey Jr.  Steve asked why, Casey responded, “Because I don’t want to!”  Last I checked, that information is open to the public and sure enough Dallas County confirmed the bandits were at the jail.

Besides refusing to give ANY real details of yesterday’s bust, Casey couldn’t even acknowledge that the take down didn’t go as smooth as planned.  The take down esculated into two police chases, a hostage situation and a standoff at a Costco.  It doesn’t take Magnum P.I. to tell you that didn’t go well.  Casey would only say, “I’m results oriented, we got our men.”

He wouldn’t even confirm or deny if a tip from the public played a role in the capture of the notorious gang of thieves.  We weren’t asking for names, we just wanted to give the public a pat on the back.  “I will not say one way or the other if the public played a role,” Casey said.

All of it is so funny to me.  It’s a prime example of people inflating their self importance.  I’m not quite sure why the FBI refuses to talk about anything.  From a public relations standpoint you would think they would want to help us tell the public how great they are.  Instead, the FBI feeds into the public perception that you can’t trust the government.

Note to FBI: The media is on to the next story today.  The next time you have an opportunity to toot your own horn in front of 11 TV cameras you ought to take it.

UPDATE: Scarecrow Bandits Now Truly Scared

7 Men accused of being members of the Infamous Scarecrow Bandits Bank Robbery Gang now sit in the Dallas County Jail.  They didn’t tell me they are scared, but I guarantee you, THEY ARE!  The FBI, Dallas and Richardson Police have been on their tales for over a year.

I have now confirmed:

1. The Police knew the bandits cell phone numbers.
2. They were tailing the bandits, collecting evidence for over a week.
3. They had stake outs at numerous North Dallas, Garland and Richardson Banks waiting for the thieves to strike.

There is even word that they bandits may actually have been bugged.  This, I have yet to get official confirmation.

I also know Top Brass with the FBI and Dallas Police are very upset that all 7 thieves were not caught at once.  When agents swarmed in just before the crooks were about to rob their 22nd bank, 5 of the 7 “Scarecrows” got away.  “There is no excuse for that,” said one high ranking DPD cop.  “To many people are put in danger when their is a chase and hostage situations,” he went on to say.

The best news is that the bandits are behind bars.  But I am told a review will be conducted to see what went wrong, and why the Scarecrows were not all caught at one time.

NBC5i.com Story
NBC5i.com Video

The Scarecrow Bandits – 1 Bank Robbery Too Many

The thing about crime is it only pays if you don’t get caught.  Typically bank robbers say the heist is easy until the last time they try it.  Because the last bank robbery is usually the one where police are waiting.

Today the Scarecrow Bandits reign of bank teller terror came to an end.  I’m told, Dallas Police knew who the suspects were, and when they robbed the bank today, the officers following the Scarecrow bandits were not far behind.  Officers ultimately followed the radio signal inside the money bags, leading to a chase, arrests and a standoff.

The Scarecrow bandits made some critical mistakes. 

1. They didn’t act alone.
2. They got greedy. (Too many bank robberies)
3. They stayed in the same geographic area.
4. They kept the M.O. similar.  (Usually due to ego)
5. They ended up robbing the wrong bank.  The one they got caught robbing.