FBI Seeks Information in Identifying Unknown Bank Robber

PHOENIX, AZ—The FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force and the Glendale Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an unknown bank robber who used a semi-automatic handgun in the robbery of the Arizona State Credit Union located at 8285 W. Union Hills, Suite 106 in Glendale, Arizona, on Thursday September 6, 2012.

The unknown male is described as 5’6”-5’7” tall, 160-170 lbs., medium build, mid 30s, tan shirt, brown pants, black cap (worn backwards), and black gloves. He wore a full flesh-colored mask with a dirty blonde, matted wig.

During the robbery, the unknown male entered the credit union and approached the teller counter. He showed a black semi-automatic handgun while demanding money from the victim tellers. He was given an undisclosed amount of money, then fled the credit union westbound on foot. No vehicle was seen.

The Bank Robbery Task Force is composed of the Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Mesa Police Department, and the FBI.

If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the individual responsible for the robbery of the Arizona State Credit Union please contact the FBI at 623-466-1999 or go to www.BanditTrackerArizona.com.

Home Team Bandit Indicted for Seven Valley Bank Robberies

PHOENIX—On June 5, 2012, Walter David Garcia, ­31, a Mexican national living in Phoenix, Arizona, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of bank robbery, three counts of armed bank robbery, and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to charging documents, Garcia allegedly used demand notes to commit four West Valley bank robberies in August and September 2011. In addition, Garcia allegedly used guns to commit three more bank robberies in February and April 2012. During the armed robberies, Garcia allegedly ordered everyone in the bank down to the floor at gunpoint, vaulted the teller counter, and demanded money from the tellers. Charging documents allege that Garcia normally wore a sports team hat or clothing during the robberies, which is why he was dubbed the “Home Team Bandit.”

A conviction for bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for armed bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. Judge Wake, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its Bank Robbery Task Force. The Bank Robbery Task Force is a partnership of the FBI, the Phoenix Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Mesa Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, whose focus is to investigate and apprehend bank robbers in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Additional assistance has been provided by the Surprise Police Department. More information on the Bank Robbery Task Force can be found at www.bandittrackerarizona.com. The prosecution is being handled by Alison Bachus, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Hothead Bandit Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison

PHOENIX—On April 23, 2012, the Honorable Susan R. Bolton sentenced Timothy John Kestle, 57, of Litchfield Park, Arizona, to 144 months in federal prison. Kestle pleaded guilty in January 2012 to four counts of armed bank robbery and one count of bank robbery. The FBI nicknamed Kestle the “Hothead Bandit” after he wore a hat with flames on the side during several of the bank robberies. Kestle robbed banks to fuel his drug and gambling addictions and had prior convictions for similar conduct in 1975 and 1996.

In 2009-2010, Kestle robbed a total of 17 banks in Phoenix, Goodyear, Peoria, Litchfield Park, Glendale, and Chandler. He typically displayed a pellet gun, or told bank tellers that he had a gun, and ordered them to “Hurry up.” During one robbery, he told a victim bank teller, “You will die; I will shoot; this is not a joke.”

Kestle was apprehended in June 2010 when an alert Peoria Police Sergeant spotted a truck similar to the one depicted in an FBI bulletin. The truck was distinctive because Kestle had pool cleaning equipment sticking out the back of it. The sergeant saw the truck parked next to a bank, later pulled over the truck for a traffic violation, and arrested Kestle.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Peoria Police Department, the Phoenix Police Department, the Chandler Police Department, the Glendale Police Department, and the Goodyear Police Department. The FBI has partnered with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Mesa Police Department, the Phoenix Police Department, the Scottsdale Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to form the Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force in order to investigate, arrest, and seek prosecution of those responsible for robbing banks in the Valley. The prosecution was handled by Christina Reid-Moore, Keith Vercauteren, and Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix. For more information on Arizona bank robbery investigations, visit Bandittrackerarizona.com.

Arrest Made in Miami Bank Robbery

PHOENIX—Troy K. Miller, 48, of Globe, Arizona, was arrested today on a charge of armed bank robbery. Miller was charged by criminal complaint on April 6, 2012.

The complaint alleges that Miller entered the Bank of the West in Miami, Arizona on December 24, 2011 holding a handgun in one hand and a purported bomb in the other. He placed the purported bomb on the teller counter and told bank employees, “Hurry, or I’ll blow it.” After bank employees complied with his demands to give him money, Miller fled the area on his BMX-style bicycle. Bomb squad technicians responded, inspected the device, and determined that the device was a simulated bomb.

A conviction for armed bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Globe Police Department and the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force. The Bank Robbery Task Force is a partnership of the FBI, the Phoenix Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Mesa Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, whose focus is to investigate and apprehend bank robbers in the greater Phoenix area. The prosecution is being handled by Alison S. Bachus, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Wanted: “Can You Hear Me Now Bandit”

PHOENIX, AZ—Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge, James L. Turgal Jr., announced the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the “Can You Hear Me Now Bandit.”

In nine of the robberies, the subject presented the teller with a demand note. At the remaining two robberies he made a verbal demand for money.

The subject is described as a white or Hispanic male, early 20s to early 30s, 5’3” - 5’10”, 150 - 180 lbs., short black hair, wearing black plastic or aviator sunglasses. The subject started off wearing jeans with a long sleeve button down shirt and a black hat with the “Famous,” “Etnies,” or “O’Neill” logo on the front, and “skater”-type shoes. In later robberies, the subject wore a black suit with a neck tie and a black fedora or cowboy hat. During last four robberies, the subject wore a pageboy hat with jeans and a long sleeve button down shirt. In some of the robberies, the subject appears to be on a cell phone.

Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank are offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of the subject.

The “Can You Hear Me Now Bandit” has allegedly robbed the following banks:

■05/12/11, Wells Fargo Bank, 1495 E. Warner Rd, Gilbert

■08/01/11, Bank of America, 49 S. Higley Rd, Gilbert

■08/08/11, Wells Fargo Bank, 4989 W. Ray Rd, Chandler

■08/10/11, Bank of America, 1820 E. Warner, Tempe

■08/12/11, Compass Bank,7335 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd, Scottsdale

■08/16/11, Bank of America, 6510 W. Happy Valley Rd, Phoenix

■08/24/11, US Bank, 3130 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix

■08/26/11, US Bank, 18495 E. Queen Creek Rd, Queen Creek

■09/01/11, Bank of America, 3949 E. Chandler Blvd, Phoenix

■09/14/11, Wells Fargo Bank, 14696 N. Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd, Scottsdale

■09/20/11, US Bank, 1159 W. Chandler Blvd, Chandler  

Any information regarding the “Can You Hear Me Now Bandit” should be reported to the FBI at (602) 279-5511 or online at www.BanditTrackerArizona.com.

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is comprised of the Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mesa Police Department.

Three Members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Indicted for Foiled Armed Bank Robbery

PHOENIX—Ryan J. Ferraro, 20; Matthew J. Gattis, 22; and Nestor D. Astorga-Villegas, 20; all of Phoenix, were indicted this week on charges of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. All three are members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Astorga-Villegas has been detained pending trial; the remaining two defendants will appear for a detention hearing at 2:00 p.m. today in federal court.

The indictment alleges that the trio devised a detailed plan to carry out an armed bank robbery, including securing firearms to be used in the robbery, maps of the bank, and creating disguises. Trial in this case is set for October 4, 2011 before U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone.

A conviction for conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conspiracy to commit use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Martone will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force, which includes the FBI, Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Mesa Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Alison S. Bachus, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:

CR-11-1609-PHX-FJM

“The Billfold Bandit” Wanted

PHOENIX, AZ—Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal Jr. announced the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the “Billfold Bandit,”

The subject approached the victim teller at three of the robberies and attempted to make a bank transaction. He then showed a demand note and demanded money stating it was a robbery. At the other six robberies the subject demanded money and showed a demand note, often concealed in his wallet.

The subject is described as a white male, mid 20s to early 30s, 5’6”-5’10” tall, 150-180 lbs, light brown facial hair, light brown hair, and brown eyes. The subject has worn sunglasses, blue jeans, long sleeve shirts, and several different hats, to include a golf-style hat, a baseball hat with the word “Dublin” and a shamrock on the front, and a baseball hat with an “H” embroidered on the front.

■June 3, 2011, U.S. Bank, 4707 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix

■June 20, 2011, U.S. Bank, 28934 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix

■June 28, 2011, Compass Bank, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix

■July 2, 2011, Compass Bank, 18411 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix

■July 7, 2011, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, 826 E. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix

■July 23, 2011, Compass Bank, 11475 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale

■July 27, 2011, Compass Bank, 702 E. Union Hills Dr., Phoenix

■August 2, 2011, Chase Bank, 630 E. Bell Rd., Phoenix

■August 4, 2011, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union, 4619 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix

Desert Schools Federal Credit Union is offering up to $5,000 for original information leading to the conviction of suspects responsible for a series of robberies at locations in Phoenix.

Any information regarding the “Billfold Bandit” should be reported to the FBI at 602-279-5511 or online at www.BanditTrackerArizona.com.

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is comprised of the Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mesa Police Department.