Suspect Arrested in Connection with Bank of the West Robbery

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK—James E. Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Oklahoma City Division, announces the robbery of the Bank of the West branch located at 2122 West Main Street in Norman, Oklahoma.

At approximately 1:20 p.m. on April 19, 2012, a white male dressed in women’s clothing approached the teller counter and presented a note demanding money. The note asked for $20s and $100s. The bank employee complied with the robber’s demand and gave the robber an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency. A counter-robbery device was also taken during the robbery. No one was injured in today’s robbery.

The robber left the bank in a white Ford F-150 truck. The robber was described as a white male 5’9” to 5’11” in height. He was wearing a woman’s skirt, woman’s-style hat, and makeup.

Norman Police Department was able to locate this counter-robbery device and found a white Ford F-150 truck matching the robber’s truck in the area of Boyd Street between 24th Avenue SW and Berry. The officer approached the truck and a white male exited a residence to speak with the officer. The officer noticed this man had smeared lipstick and makeup on. After further investigation, David Bayazeed, 56, from Norman, Oklahoma was placed under arrest for robbing the Bank of the West.

Mr. Bayazeed was transported to the Grady County Detention Center. A complaint will be filed in federal court in the Western District of Oklahoma charging Mr. Bayazeed with bank robbery. The public is reminded an arrest is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Norman Police Department.