FBI Seeks Man Who Robbed U.S. Bank Branch in Roseville

On August 14, 2012, at approximately 1 p.m., a lone, white male entered a U.S. Bank branch located inside the Byerly’s Grocery Store at 1601 West County Road C in Roseville, Minnesota. The robber approached the teller counter and gave the victim teller a note demanding cash. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency, the robber fled from the bank on foot.

The robber was described as a white male, who was approximately 5’7” to 5’10” in height, having a medium build, and weighing approximately 170 to 180 lbs. The robber was also described as wearing a black baseball cap; a tan, collared, short sleeved-shirt; and sunglasses.

Anyone with any information regarding this robbery should contact the FBI at (763) 569-8000 or the Roseville Police Department.

Former Middle School Teacher Charged with Production and Receipt of Child Pornography

Gregory Francis Austin, 32, of Chesterfield Township, was arrested and charged today with production, receipt, and possession of child pornography, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, Austin was employed by the Fraser School District in 2005 as a band instructor and became a classroom teacher in 2006. On March 19, 2012, Austin was arrested by the Roseville Police Department for his involvement in a drug transaction. As a result of that arrest and further investigation, law enforcement searched his cell phone and discovered numerous images of suspected child pornography. Detectives also found inappropriate non-pornographic images of suspected minors, text messages that were sexual in nature that appeared to involve minors, and two pornographic videos, one of which depicted a minor. The images included both male and female minors.

The investigation was subsequently turned over to the FBI Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Taskforce who, with the assistance of the Fraser School District and the Fraser Police Department, reviewed a portion of the images found on Austin’s phone. Of the reviewed images, 12 were identified as known minors and students currently enrolled within the Fraser School District. Austin left the Fraser School District after his arrest in March.

The FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office is interested in any information related to Austin and his communications and contacts with minors. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at 313-965-2323.

Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Roth and Kevin Mulcahy are prosecuting this case for the United States.

FBI Seeks Female Bank Robbery Suspect

On January 26, 2012, at approximately 11 a.m., a bank robbery occurred at North Star Bank which is located at 1820 North Lexington Avenue, Roseville, Minnesota. The robber, who was described as a white female, entered the bank and approached the teller counter. She handed the victim teller a note demanding cash. After receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber fled from the bank.

The robber was described as a white female, approximately 5’4” in height, with a thin build. She was wearing a three-quarter length coat, blue jeans, a dark “hoodie” sweatshirt over a dark cap with a brim, and dark fabric gloves. She was also described as having pale skin and a “facial bandage” which covered approximately 50 percent of her face.

If anyone has any information regarding this robbery, they are requested to contact the FBI at (612) 376-3200 or the Roseville Police Department.

Two Men Sentenced for Armed Robbery of New Brighton Gas Station

MINNEAPOLIS — Yesterday in federal court in St. Paul, two Twin Cities metro area men were sentenced for committing the armed robbery of a New Brighton gas station on January 12, 2011. United States District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank sentenced Terry Lamar Roberts, Jr., age 23, of Fridley, to 192 months in prison on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of interference with commerce by robbery, pursuant to the Hobbs Act. Judge Frank also sentenced Theodore Julius Collins, age 26, of Minneapolis, to 84 months on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The men, who were indicted on February 15, 2011. Roberts pleaded guilty on April 22, 2011, and Collins pleaded guilty on May 2, 2011.

Following the sentencings, Bernard J. Zapor, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ St. Paul Field Office, said, “These violent criminals should be getting the message that local law enforcement is partnering with this agency to remove the threats they pose.”

In his plea agreement, Roberts admitted that on January 12, 2011, he robbed at gunpoint the E–Z Stop station, located at 574 Old Highway 8, leaving with $195.97. He ran to an awaiting vehicle, driven by Collins. According to police reports regarding the incident, officers observed a vehicle driving at night without its headlights on. They then saw a man run from the E–Z Stop and get into the vehicle. Subsequently, they stopped and searched the vehicle. During that search, they seized clothing that matched what was worn by the robber. They also recovered $195.97 in cash and a nine–millimeter pistol.

In addition, Roberts admitted to committing the armed robberies of a Brooklyn Center O’Reilly Auto Parts store on November 17, 2010, a Crystal Pizza Man restaurant on November 21, 2010, the same E–Z Stop store on December 7, 2010, a Plymouth Dominos Pizza restaurant on December 19, 2010, and a Crystal O’Reilly Auto Parts store on December 21, 2010. Roberts also admitted that from May of 2004 through December of 2010, he committed armed robberies at a Corner Store in Richfield, a Foley Foods store in Coon Rapids, a Texas Tonka Liquor Store in St. Louis Park, a Super 8 Motel in Brooklyn Center, a Top Diner in Minneapolis, and a Bill’s Superstore in Minneapolis.

In his plea agreement, Collins admitted driving Roberts to the E–Z Stop on January 12.

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute violent habitual criminals who commit armed robbery in places of business that involve interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these cases is sometimes beneficial since the penalties are often tougher than under state law. Furthermore, because the federal system has no parole, those who receive federal sentences serve virtually the entire prison term imposed.

This case was the result of an investigation by the New Brighton Police Department, the Roseville Police Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.

Serial Robbers Hit Bank in Roseville

On February 9, 2011, at approximately 11:48 a.m., the InterBank branch located at

1875 County Road

B2 West in Roseville, Minnesota, was robbed by two masked men. The two robbers ran through the parking lot and into the bank. One of the robbers approached a female bank employee and put a silver semi-automatic handgun to her neck. The robber ordered her to open a safe. The robber told the teller that he did not want any “funny money.” There were two other bank employees in the bank at the time. The employees opened the safe and the robbers obtained an undisclosed amount of cash from the safe. The three victims were then locked in a closet before the robbers fled the bank with their robbery proceeds being carried in a dark colored backpack. No injuries were sustained by the victims.

One robber is described as a black male, about 6’0” tall with a large build, wearing a black ski mask, black jacket and pants, black gloves, and a white wool ski cap. He carried the silver handgun in his left hand. The other robber is described as shorter than the first robber, a skinny build, believed to be in his 20s or early 30s, wearing a black ski mask, black clothing, gloves, and white sneakers. He carried the dark colored backpack.

The robbers are believed to also be responsible for the robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank in Champlin on August 4, 2010; the U.S. Bank in Plymouth on September 13, 2010; and the U.S. Bank in Anoka on November 5, 2010. They are also believed to be responsible for attempted robberies at the TCF Bank in Chanhassen on August 30, 2010 and the TCF Bank in Lakeville on September 2, 2010.

On November 5, 2010, U.S. Bank announced it was offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for these robberies.

Ralph S. Boelter, Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis Office of the FBI, requests that anyone with information regarding this bank robbery contact the Minneapolis FBI Office at 612-376-3200, the Roseville Police Department at 651-767-0640, or Crime Stoppers.

This news release was sponsored by Police Books.