Stickup Central

Bank holdups in the Southland totaled 1,126 last year--four more than 1995 but still well below the peak of 2,641 in 1992, the FBI reports.

But last year saw one troubling aspect--a resurgence of the more violent “takeover” robberies. These heists, which involve multiple bandits and sometimes hostages, jumped 20% last year, to 222, after falling sharply from a high of 448 in 1992.

Despite the drop in robberies overall in recent years, FBI officials say the Los Angeles region remains the nation’s bank robbery capital.

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Times staff writer Don Lee can be reached at don.lee@latimes.com