Woman Charged with Robbing Bank of America Branch

The FBI is announcing the arrest of Krystal Mae Alvarado, age 22, as a result of the investigation into the robbery of the Bank of America, located inside of the of Albertson grocery store at 543 Sweetwater Road in Spring Valley, California, on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

On Tuesday, February 21, 2012, at approximately 4:34 p.m., an unknown female armed with a firearm robbed a teller at the Bank of America located inside of the Albertsons grocery store at 543 Sweetwater Road in Spring Valley, California. At the time of the robbery, the robber approached the teller and presented a demand note. The robber lifted up her shirt and displayed the handle of a firearm that was positioned at her waistline. The robber ordered the teller to place the money into a black and white purse the robber was carrying. After receiving a sum of money, the robber walked out of the grocery store, heading north.

According to the complaint filed in this matter with the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, case number 12MJ3426, on September 16, 2012, Alvarado voluntarily surrendered to FBI agents and was interviewed concerning the robbery. Alvarado confessed to robbing the bank and apologized for doing so. On Monday, September 17, 2012, Alvarado was arrested by FBI agents investigating the robbery. Alvarado was taken into custody without incident.

On Monday, September 24, 2012, Alvarado had her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge, David H. Bartick. Alvarado remains in custody at the Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego, California. This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

An arrest itself is not evidence that the defendant committed crimes charged. The defendant is presumed innocent until the government meets its burden in court of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.