"Professional criminals are hard at work right now making their plans for major robberies if the Y2K bug causes disruptions."

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO

Y2K a picnic for criminals?

Notorious con says it's the talk of the joint

By David M. Bresnahan ) 1999 WorldNetDaily.com

Y2K disruptions of power and telephone service will provide amateur and professional criminals the opportunity of a lifetime, according to a notorious convict who candidly admitted every bad guy will be eagerly waiting for the new year to begin.

"I'd hit banks, jewelry stores, electronics stores, anyplace with high-ticket items," Bill Wasz told WorldNetDaily in a rare phone call from prison. He was asked what he would do on New Year's Eve 2000 if he were a free man and still committing crimes. Wasz added he has found religion and changed his life and would not engage in crimes any longer.

He said the potential for Y2K disruptions would be a huge temptation for every criminal on the streets. He said all the alarms will be off, and the police will have trouble responding to the many disturbances. Wasz cautioned that professional criminals are hard at work right now making their plans for major robberies if the Y2K bug causes disruptions.

"You should hear them talk in here," said Wasz of the Y2K conversations he has had with some of the nation's most dangerous criminals. "If it gets as bad as they say it will be really crazy out there," he added.

Wasz is an inmate in one of the highest security prisons in America. He was the subject of a series of WorldNetDaily articles dealing with his claim that he was hired to kill Nicole Brown Simpson. His life of violent and drug related crimes led to his eventual arrest and imprisonment in the Calipatria State Prison in California.

People in their homes would not be the target of professional criminals like Wasz, but they should be concerned about amateur crooks trying to make a quick hit while the lights are out.

"I'd stay as far from people's homes as I could get," he explained. "It's too much of a gamble. If you hit houses at random you don't know if you'll find anything of value, and you are likely to find someone with a gun scared to death on the other side of the door."

He did say that many inexperienced crooks might break into homes, but he was certain that professional criminals would go after the biggest prize they could find.

Wasz admits to many bank robberies and crimes when he was working on his own and as a gangster for hire. His life of crime began when he drove a front loader through the window of a super market in Manasas, Va., about 15 years ago. He took the entire safe containing thousands in cash, and got away to Las Vegas where his life of crime blossomed.

The Y2K computer bug is a major concern to Wasz and his fellow prisoners for another reason. No information has been provided to inmates regarding preparations at the prison to deal with Y2K issues. Rumors are circulating that they will be locked in their cells for days prior to the turn of the century. They also believe that if disruptions do occur, prison food will run out quickly.

The state of Michigan has listed problems with security in prisons as a major concern in their Year 2000 Toolkit issued to all state and local officials in that state. The 65-page document warns of possible prison escapes unless jail cells are locked manually. Computerized lock down facilities are to have all computer controls disabled prior to the new year.

Jack M. Drown, undersheriff of San Diego County, also expects additional crime at the start of the new year.

"The department is currently preparing for contingencies associated with New Year 2000. As you know, certain automated or computer-driven systems and services may be subject to interruption. If significant interruptions do occur, it is possible there may be adverse public reactions. Additionally, New Year 2000 will undoubtedly be a time of heightened general police activity," Drown told his deputies in a recent internal memo made available to WorldNetDaily.

All vacations before and just after the new year have been canceled by Drown. Other government agencies at all levels have been reported to be taking similar action in anticipation of civil unrest and an increase in crime.

Wasz is presently in a special isolation section of the Calipatria State Prison in California serving a 30-year sentence for crimes unrelated to the Simpson case. He was placed in isolation recently because of a prison fight he was involved in. He has been denied access to his personal belongings, and he is not able to make phone calls or write letters with rare exceptions.

In a recent letter he expressed concern for his safety. He claims numerous attempts on his life have been made in the past, and that there are plans to transfer him to another facility where he will be in even greater danger.

Wasz also claims a price was placed on his head because he has the ability to expose a conspiracy to commit the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson.

The public affairs office of Calipatria State Prison could not be reached for comment.



-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), July 31, 1999

Answers

I predict lots of dead burglary and grand theft "suspects" if this is the case. If the cop shops and 911 isn't working, neither will the ambulances and aid cars.....

If they get locked in their cages, well, gosh, that's too bad.....

Time for them to pay the piper.......

-- (nobody@nowhere.com), July 31, 1999.


Robbers will be shot and hero guys will station themselves strategically to protect their neighborhoods and pick off troublemakers. It will be a free-for-all, no law or order, but enough know ahead of time to be ready to shoot anybody looting on their block.

-- cowboys and robbers (for@real.2000), August 01, 1999.

The moral of the story is...leave your money in the bank. It's safe there. It's insured. If you take it out, you will be robbed.

-- Alan Greenspan (al@funnymoney.org), August 01, 1999.

"I'd stay as far from people's homes as I could get," he explained. "It's too much of a gamble. If you hit houses at random you don't know if you'll find anything of value, and you are likely to find someone with a gun scared to death on the other side of the door."

Do you 'spose banks will try to spike this story like they did the KIA and Polaroid ads and the Y2K movie? Wouldn't want word getting out that money might be SAFER in mattresses than in banks. It DOES seem that they odds would be against robbers hitting the jackpot if they hit homes. The vast majority are totally unprepared for Y2K.. so aren't worth robbing. And the ones that are well prepared are also well armed. Better to hit the banks, ATMs, and stores of all types.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), August 01, 1999.


Andy, good article to post; I read it in Worldnetdaily about a week ago.

It demonstrates several critical facts about the criminal mind. One: criminals go where they KNOW there is money during hours there will likely be little resistance or people around. Two: criminals value their own hides and are deterred by firearms or the posibility of their presence. Three: most criminals are cowards at heart who cannot face or function normal life situations anyway, so a little old lady who can squeeze the trigger on a 44 magnum could likely scatter them like chikens in a barnyard.

And as for all the people worried about "gangs" assaulting their homes and taking provisions, gangs come from the lowest cesspools of society anyway. They are bullies, cowards, sociopaths, and selfish. They prey on the helpless and the addicted, to drugs and govt handouts. If they see one of their compadres laying in a pool of blood in your yard, they will run like hell. If you can get just one or two neighbors to back you up, you'll be just about gang proof! Lets start thinking like Americans and not a bunch of helpless ninnies!

-- doktorbob (downsouth@dixie.com), August 01, 1999.



Have a good friend whose fiance is a bank robbery prevention specialist. He used to be DOJ and now has his own firm. Targets high level professional bank robberies etc. Says business is booming. Banks are quite nervous and he confirmed that they are purchasing armored vehicles due to the armored car shortage for cash distribution.

For a career criminal this has to be Christmas, Thanksgiving and New Years all wrapped up in one.

Feel free to flame me because you don't believe my source blah blah blah. Oh and leave your money in, cause i'm taking more of mine out next week.

-- Gordon (g_gecko_69@hotmail.com), August 01, 1999.


my father-in-law is the corporate disaster recovery planner for cuna mutual he's all freaked-out that most banks have ordered extra cash in case of bank runs and that most of the cash will be uninsured because of caps.If ever there was a time in history to plan a bank robbery,it is now.

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), August 01, 1999.

Given a choice, robbers will go after unarmed victims. Here's how some folks warned off the bad guys after Hurricane Andrew.

http://www.plusp.com/gallery6.html

-- biker (y2kbiker@worldnet.att.net), August 01, 1999.


http://www.plusp.com/gallery6.html

-- JJ (living@the.edge), August 01, 1999.

"I'd hit banks, jewelry stores, electronics stores, anyplace with high-ticket items,"

LOL!!!! I just love the thought of all these slimy guys risking their lives dragging out stereos, TVs and VCRs. AS IF THEY WILL BE WORTH ANYTHING!!!!!!

Talk about natural selection thinning the gene pool! Ha ha ha!!!

-- R (riversoma@aol.com), August 01, 1999.



Yeah, the robbers will be shot...and the 'heros' arrested...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), August 01, 1999.

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