Wollongong's Bank Robbery Heyday: A Look Back at the Late 1990s Crime Wave
Bank robberies today appear to be a relic of the past, largely due to branch closures making targets scarce and advanced security measures like screens, alarms, and CCTV deterring criminals. DNA evidence further complicates escape, rendering such crimes hardly worthwhile. However, this was not always the case, especially in Wollongong during the late 1990s, when the city briefly became a hotspot for audacious heists.
A Surge in Hold-Ups: The Statistics Tell the Story
In 1998 alone, the Illawarra Mercury reported on 13 bank robberies, averaging more than one per month. Over 1998 and 1999, there were 18 incidents, with some bandits targeting two banks in a single day. This frequency starkly contrasts with modern times, where such events are rare, highlighting a bygone era of local crime.
The Notorious "Miss Cool" and Her Casual Heists
One of the most infamous figures from this period was Vanessa Jane Anderson, dubbed "Miss Cool" for her nonchalant demeanor during robberies. In March 1998, she hit Commonwealth Bank branches in Wollongong and Fairy Meadow within half an hour, driven by an accomplice. Unarmed and making no attempt to conceal her face, she simply handed over a note demanding money.
Security footage captured her strolling casually from banks with bundles of cash. She later robbed the West Wollongong NAB in early April and the ANZ in Crown Street Mall two weeks later, amassing $14,040 from four raids. Arrested in May at an ANZ branch in Nowra, Anderson claimed a conspiracy between police and her father, insisting the nearly $8000 found in her car was savings. She pleaded guilty and received a maximum three-year jail term.
Dramatic Ceiling Entry and Other Bold Robberies
On April 2, 1998, the day after Miss Cool's third robbery, two masked bandits shocked tellers at the Thirroul ANZ by dropping from the ceiling just after 8.30am. They had previously poked holes to observe staff before the bank opened. Armed with a black pistol, they escaped with $29,410, smashing a glass door panel on their way out. One teller expressed feeling violated, noting the unexpected method of entry.
Other incidents included gunmen at Woonona's Commonwealth Bank, who struck days before security screens were installed, and an armed thief who wounded security guard Peter Marceau at the Corrimal ANZ in August. Marceau, shot in the hand, chased the assailant and later sued for damages, with a judge awarding over $277,000 due to security deficiencies.
A Peak in October 1998 and the Decline Thereafter
October 1998 saw five robberies, including repeat hits at the ANZ mall branch and targets like the Warrawong IMB, Dapto NAB, and Commonwealth Bank. At the Commonwealth Bank, an armed bandit waited calmly in line before pulling a gun. The Dapto NAB robbery involved threats with a needle and syringe, and a dye bomb staining the stolen money red. This branch was robbed again in 1999, with a customer noting the robber's cool demeanor.
In July 1999, a man attempted to rob the St George Bank in the mall but was thwarted by security screens; undeterred, he successfully robbed the nearby NAB branch. While bank hold-ups continued into the 2000s, their frequency never matched the peak of 1998-1999, marking the end of Wollongong's brief reign as a bank robbery capital.
Overall, this period serves as a fascinating chapter in Illawarra's history, showcasing how security evolution and societal changes have reshaped crime patterns, making bank robberies seem like a distant memory from last century.
