In 2016 there were 41 bank robberies in the metro area and so far in 2017 there have been a dozen.
The FBI announced on Tuesday that a task force has been formed to try and stop the increase of armed hold-ups.
FBI Special Agent In Charge Randall Thysse says he's concerned that the robberies are becoming more violent and believes gang members are responsible for many of them.
"At least two of them will enter the bank and they'll leave one individual out in the getaway car," Thysse says. He says they are often armed and will hop the counter and go straight for the bank vaults.
Thysse also says the thieves will steal and car and park in in a neighborhood 2-3 days before a robbery and then ditch it moments after the hold-up.
The FBI says that as law enforcement and bank security have heightened their efforts, the bandits are turning their attention to smaller banks outside the metro area. Recently banks in Arlington and Murray were robbed by suspects matching the same description as the ones in Omaha.
Crime Stoppers is also helping in the effort, boosting their reward for information leading to the arrest of a bank robbery suspect to $20 thousand. The number to call is 444-STOP