Armed Bank Robberies

Pair Indicted for Armed Bank Robberies Previously Connected to the “River Rat” Armed Robberies Took Place in Oregon and Washington State

PORTLAND, OR—United States Attorney Dwight C. Holton announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a four-count indictment charging Alexey Perez-Hernandez, 33, of Bonnie Lake, Washington, and Travis Lee Oles, 35, of Portland, Oregon, with four counts of armed bank robbery. The robberies took place during August and September of 2009 as follows:

August 7, 2009 - Columbia State Bank, 10735 NE Halsey Street, Portland, Oregon;

August 19, 2009 - Riverview Community Bank, 10401 NE Halsey Street, Portland, Oregon;

August 26, 2009 - Riverview Community Bank, 10401 NE Halsey Street, Portland, Oregon; and

September 8, 2009 - Albina Community Bank, 5636 NE Sandy Boulevard, Portland, Oregon.

Both defendants are currently in custody in Clark County, Washington, and face robbery charges in that jurisdiction. The maximum federal sentence for each count of armed bank robbery is a term of 25 years in prison.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Portland Police Bureau, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Vancouver Police Department, and Kent, Washington Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Weinhouse.