South Florida bank robberies on the rise, according to FBI

MIAMI, Fla. — The FBI says bank robberies are on the rise in South Florida and this year may surpass the totals for each of the past two years.

The FBI's Miami field office says there were 49 bank heists between Oct. 1 and the end of March in Florida counties stretching from Martin to Monroe. That's up 25 percent compared with the same time frame last year.

If the trend holds, South Florida could see around 100 bank stickups in this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. That compares with 75 in 2011 and 87 in 2010.

FBI agents say most robberies are non-violent and don't involve display of a weapon. About half of his year's bank robberies in South Florida have been solved.