Dye pack
A dye pack is a radio-controlled device used by banks to foil a bank robbery by causing stolen cash to be permanently marked with dye shortly after a robbery. They were invented in Georgia, United States, in 1965.[1] In most cases, a dye pack is placed in a hollowed-out space within a stack of banknotes, usually $10 or $20 bills. This stack of bills looks and feels identical to a real one, but usually subtly marked in a way that is only privy to selected bank employees. The development of flexible dye packs makes it virtually impossible to detect by persons handling the stack.[2][3]
When the marked stack of bills is not used, it is stored next to a magnetic plate near a bank cashier, in standby or safe mode, ready to be handed over to a bank robber by a bank employee. When it is removed from the magnetic plate, the pack is armed. Once it leaves the building and passes through the door frame, a radio transmitter located at the door triggers a timer (typically at least 10 seconds), after which the dye pack explosively releases[4] an aerosol (usually of Disperse Red 9) and sometimes tear gas, intended to destroy the stolen money and mark the robber's body with a bright stain. The chemical reaction causing the explosion of the pack and the release of the dye creates high temperatures of about 200 °C (392 °F) which further discourages a criminal from touching the pack or removing it from the bag or getaway vehicle.[2] Dye packs are used to foil robberies in over 75% of banks in the U.S.[2]
In England, a robber who fled a bank in Regent Street laughing "Haha, I've got all the money", was enveloped in "a red cloud" of dye as he ran away down Shaftesbury Avenue.[5] He was later caught and jailed.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Di Paola, Jim (19 November 1989). "DYE PACKS FOIL BANK ROBBERS' CLEAN GETAWAYS". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
- ^ a b c "I've heard of bank robbers being foiled by a 'dye pack' put in their money stash. What is a 'dye pack'?". How Stuff Works. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ US5485143A, Keniston, "Security dye pack having flexible heat-resistant chemical pouch", published 1993
- ^ "Thieves caught after dye pack explodes in bank heist". New York Post. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
- ^ a b "Jailed, laughing robber who was covered with security dye". London Evening Standard. 14 July 2014. p. 5.