Serial Armed Bank Robber Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison

Defendant stole money from six different northern California banks within seven weeks

OAKLAND – Wesley Allen Krohn was sentenced to five years in prison for perpetrating a bank robbery spree, announced United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Special Agent in Charge John Bennett of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s San Francisco Division and Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan of the FBI’s Sacramento Division.  The Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., United States District Judge, handed down the sentence on August 20, 2018. 

Krohn, 34, of San Jacinto, California, pleaded guilty to the robberies on April 23, 2018.  According to his plea agreement, Krohn admitted that between December 2015 and January of 2016, he went on a bank robbery spree across northern California.  In two of the robberies, Krohn used an object that appeared to be a black pistol.  During some of the robberies, Krohn entered the banks wearing a fake beard and a baseball hat in an attempt to disguise himself, approached the victim tellers, and presented a note that demanded money, indicating that he had a gun.  Krohn robbed, or attempted to rob, banks in Sonoma, Contra Costa, Sacramento, Solano, and San Joaquin counties:

    On December 3, 2015, Krohn robbed an Exchange Bank in Rohnert Park, California, of $9,000.  Krohn’s demand note said, essentially, “Put $10,000 in an envelope quickly and you won’t get hurt.”  When the victim teller pushed back from the counter after reading the note, Krohn noticed, and told the victim teller, “No quick movements.”

    On December 21, 2015, Krohn robbed a Tri Counties Bank in Brentwood, California, of $496.  Krohn used a folded-up check as a demand note, which said, “I HAVE A GUN.”  The blank check was filled out for $10,000.  Krohn said, “Give me all your money.”  Krohn kept his hand in his jacket pocket when he said, “Hurry up, I have a gun.” 

    On December 22, 2015, Krohn robbed a Wells Fargo Bank in Pleasant Hill, California, of $650.  Krohn pointed an object that appeared to be a black semi-automatic pistol at the victim teller and handed the teller a note that read, “No dye packs, $20,000.”

    On December 31, 2015, Krohn robbed a Bank of Rio Vista in Walnut Grove, California, of $1,439.  Krohn approached the victim teller, brandished an object that appeared to be a black semi-automatic pistol, and said, in a low voice, something to the effect of, “This is a stick-up.  Give me your [  ] money.”  Krohn raised his weapon, pointed it in the direction of the victim teller, and ordered her to open the bottom two drawers.

    On January 9, 2016, Krohn robbed a US Bank in Suisun City, California, of $884.  Krohn approached the victim teller, wearing a fake beard and a baseball cap, and presented a note that threatened he had a gun and demanded money.  Krohn also verbally demanded money and said he had a gun. 

    On January 19, 2016, Krohn attempted to rob a US Bank in Lodi, California.  He presented a note stating “I have a gun. Give me all the money.”  The teller pointed out that the bank had not yet opened and the cash drawers did not have money.  Krohn fled without any money from the bank.

    On January 19, 2016, Krohn robbed a Tri Counties Bank in Elk Grove, California, of $2,144. Krohn approached the victim teller with a note that said something to the effect of, “I have a gun on me, hurry up, and give me all the money. This is not a joke.”  While the teller was attempting to read the note, Krohn whispered to her, “Hurry up, I have a gun.” 

Krohn was later identified as the bank robbery suspect who appeared in FBI flyers.  He self-surrendered to federal authorities on December 8, 2017, following the grand jury’s return of an indictment.  On April 19, 2018,  Krohn was charged by Superseding Information with five counts of actual or attempted bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a), and two counts of armed bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2113(a) and (d). 

In addition to the prison term, Judge Gilliam ordered Krohn to serve a three-year term of supervised release, and ordered him to pay full restitution to the victim banks.  The defendant has been in custody since his arrest and will begin serving his sentence immediately.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Vanessa Quant.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Rohnert Park Police Department, the Brentwood Police Department, the Pleasant Hill Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the Suisun City Police Department, the Elk Grove Police Department, the Lodi Police Department, and the Clearlake Police Department.