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Burglar Alarms & the History of Robbery in America
From Wild West stagecoach holdups to Depression-era bank robbers, robbery has a long, infamous history in the United States. Here’s the story — plus what today’s data says about burglary, and why a burglar alarm remains one of the most effective deterrents you can own.
A Brief History of Robbery in America
American history is dotted with criminals whose exploits captured the public’s imagination. Dating back to the Wild West of the 19th century, names like Jesse and Frank James, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, John Dillinger, and Bonnie and Clyde became infamous for their crimes.
Westward expansion and the California Gold Rush drew people into new territory faster than organized law could follow — and the lure of easy money tempted many into a life of crime. Settlers traveling by stagecoach and train made tempting targets for robbers working the open frontier.
As towns and cities took shape, robbery grew more sophisticated — evolving from strong-arm holdups of individuals into elaborate plans against banks, armored cars, and museums. The loot expanded too, from cash to stocks, bonds, negotiable instruments, jewels, and gold. Later headline heists, like the 1950 Brink’s robbery in Boston and the 1978 Lufthansa heist at JFK Airport, showed just how organized robbery had become.
Many of these stories were later embellished on the big screen in films like Bonnie and Clyde, Dog Day Afternoon, The Town, and Public Enemies — but the real history is dramatic enough on its own.
Explore the History
Authoritative accounts of America’s most notorious robbers and robberies.
FBI: The Brink’s Robbery
The FBI’s account of the 1950 Boston heist — the largest U.S. robbery of its time.
Read →Britannica: Jesse & Frank James
The criminal careers of the West’s most famous outlaw brothers and their gang.
Read →Britannica: Bonnie and Clyde
The crime spree and downfall of the Depression-era couple, 1932–1934.
Read →PBS: Depression-Era Desperadoes
PBS American Experience on John Dillinger and the outlaws of the 1930s.
Read →FBI: Famous Cases & Criminals
The FBI’s full archive of historic robbery and crime investigations.
Read →Burglary in America Today
The romanticized outlaws are history, but burglary is still a real risk — even as rates fall to historic lows. Here’s where things stand, according to the FBI and the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024) and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Figures are the most recent published estimates as of June 2026.
Do Burglar Alarms Actually Deter Crime?
Yes — and the best evidence comes straight from offenders. In a University of North Carolina at Charlotte study, criminologist Joseph Kuhns surveyed more than 400 convicted burglars about how they choose (and abandon) targets. The findings are striking:
Source: “Understanding Decisions to Burglarize from the Offender’s Perspective,” UNC Charlotte (J. Kuhns), funded by the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation.
A Visible Alarm Is a Burglar’s Cue to Move On
JMAC Supply is an authorized distributor of intrusion alarms, access control, and video surveillance from trusted manufacturers. Whether you’re securing a single home or a multi-site facility, our team can help you build a system that deters, detects, and documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What the data says about burglary and burglar alarms.
Build Your Security System
From intrusion alarms to access control and video surveillance, JMAC Supply has the hardware and the expertise. Tell us what you’re protecting and we’ll help you spec it.
