"Polterheist” (poltergeist + heist) is a made-up word that is used in jokes.

The movie Poltergeist (1982) popularized the title word. “Idea for a film: ‘Polterheist’ George Clooney and Brad Pitt are ghost crooks plotting an hilarious bank job” was posted on Twitter by Jeff Ingleby on September 6, 2011. There actually was a movie titled Polterheist (2018).

“What do ya call it when a ghost robs a bank? A polterheist” was posted on Twitter by Adam Doherty on March 12, 2012. “Q: What do you call it when Ghosts rob a Bank? A: A PolterHeist” was posted on Twitter by #ChadFogland on October 4, 2013. “What do you call a bank robbery committed by a ghost? A Polterheist” was posted on Reddit—Jokes on August 19, 2020.

“How do ghosts obtain money? Via a polterheist” was posted on Reddit—Jokes on August 19, 2021.


Wikipeai: Poltergeist
In ghostlore, a poltergeist (/ˈpoʊltərˌɡaɪst/ or /ˈpɒltərˌɡaɪst/; German for “noisy ghost” or “noisy spirit") is a type of ghost or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. Most claims about or fictional descriptions of poltergeists show them as capable of pinching, biting, hitting, and tripping people.

Twitter
Jeff Ingleby
@jingleby
Idea for a film: “Polterheist” George Clooney and Brad Pitt are ghost crooks plotting an hilarious bank job. Zachary Galifianakis is the
6:23 AM · Sep 6, 2011·Osfoora for iOS

Twitter
Adam Doherty
@adamjld
What do ya call it when a ghost robs a bank? A polterheist. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
1:25 PM · Mar 12, 2012·TweetDeck

Twitter
bespokejokebloke
@sootyj
#lollyjoke a bank was robbed by a ghost, it was a polterheist
6:46 AM · Apr 28, 2012·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
alHEXandria
@elledotdubs
Movie Plot: Ghosts need money to save haunted house, so they rob a bank. Name? PolterHeist. You saw it here first, folks.
6:34 AM · May 21, 2013·Twitter for BlackBerry®

Twitter
Lee Kwarl Soo
@karlbright
I just made a dad joke - What do you call a bank robbery by ghosts? Polterheist=
...
I hate myself
9:02 AM · Aug 9, 2013·Tweetbot for Mac

Twitter
Syd Lexia
@Syd_Lexia
Idea: A movie about ghosts who rob banks. I call it…
POLTERHEIST
11:11 AM · Sep 9, 2013·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
#ChadFogland
@chadfogland
Q: What do you call it when Ghosts rob a Bank? 
A: A PolterHeist.  #HalloweenJokes
10:36 AM · Oct 4, 2013·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
DUG
@DougGoldfish
Polterheist: When ghosts rob banks.
10:44 PM · Apr 20, 2014·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Caleb Rentpayer
@mythicalpizza
What do you called a ghost bank robbery?
A polterheist.
Ahahahaha......
*looks at angry mob forming*
*gulp*
11:01 PM · Dec 16, 2014·Tweetbot for iΟS

Twitter
Dan
@danieltroy95
Idea for a movie: A ghost is robbing banks in POLTERHEIST
7:41 PM · Jan 3, 2015 from Dublin City, Ireland·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
Agent Pale Cooper
@jeremyharrisona
What’s it called when ghosts rob a bank?
A polterheist, haha.
Can’t wait to drop that one at work, they’ll be putty in my hands.
3:58 AM · May 22, 2015·Twitter Web Client

Twitter
The Bloody Jug Band
@TheBJB
Cragmire’s Humpday Spooky Joke:
Q: What Do You call a Bank Robbery Committed by a Ghost?
A: A PolterHeist!!!
8:24 AM · Nov 11, 2015 from Alafaya, FL·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Innocenti
@ChaseInnocenti
Ghost taking money from my wallet
Call that polterheist
7:00 PM · Jun 19, 2016·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Payton Scott Green
@P810_G
Movie idea: a ghost that robs banks. I call it...Polterheist.
9:57 PM · Jun 26, 2016·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
CM PUNK IS BACK!
@realchristurner
A ghost stole all of my money from my bank. I think it was a Polterheist #LooseWomen
7:33 AM · Jul 31, 2018·Twitter for Android

IMDb (The Internet Movie Database)
Polterheist
2018
Two gangsters are given 72 hours to discover the whereabouts of a stash of drug money stolen by their boss. There’s only one problem...they just murdered him. Frantic to find the cash, the hapless criminals kidnap a psychic medium and force her to contact the dead gang boss. Unfortunately for them, they only succeed in unleashing an evil spirit bent on revenge.

Twitter
Collin
@bigballski
What is it called when a ghost robs a bank?
A polterheist.
Thanks I’ll be here all week.
6:14 PM · Oct 11, 2018·Twitter for iPhone

Reddit—Jokes
Posted by u/BoredPony October 24, 2018
[OC] What do you call a ghost robbing a bank?
A polter-heist

Twitter
#ChadFogland
@chadfogland
Q: What do you call it when Ghosts rob a Bank?
A: A PolterHeist
#HalloweenJokes
5:23 PM · Oct 31, 2019·Twitter Web App

Reddit—Jokes
Posted by u/TMLBR August 19, 2020
What do you call a bank robbery committed by a ghost?
A Polterheist

Twitter
Ruth
@RuthieFizz
why did the criminal ghost go to the bank?
to attempt a polterheist.
GIF
12:46 PM · Oct 31, 2020·Twitter for Android

Twitter
Miko Dickenballs
@shoutoku_legend
How do you call it when a ghost robs a bank?
A POLTERHEIST
12:49 PM · Feb 6, 2021·Twitter Web App

Twitter
CrimeSonics
@CrimeSonics
What do you call a bank robbery committed by a ghost?
A Polterheist
12:43 AM · Feb 7, 2021·Twitter for iPhone

Twitter
Stephen Kozeniewski
@outfortune
What’s it called when a ghost robs a bank?.... A polterheist.
THE PERFECTLY FINE HOUSE - containing ghosts but no heists!
http://hyperurl.co/fxvlti
#ghostbooks #horrorreaders
9:00 AM · Mar 7, 2021·TweetDeck

Twitter
Online Alarm Clock
@onlineclock
If a bank gets robbed by ghosts...it’s a Polterheist
9:12 AM · Jun 13, 2021·Buffer

Twitter
Joe
@Goldenhawk123
Replying to @DestinationKat and @ThaRealLocsmif
Okay, last one
What do you call it when a group of ghosts rob a bank?
A polterheist
2:25 AM · Aug 7, 2021·Twitter Web App

Reddit—Jokes
Posted by u/PonderingWalnut August 19, 2021
How do ghosts obtain money?
Via a polterheist. Ouch, the downvotes!
Edit: more up votes than I expected, thank you kindly!
COMMENTS
Mikey_Knobs
They got in the vault with a Spook Key