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News: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Takeover Bank Robberies in Las Cruces, New Mexico

Are these Mexican bandits crossing the border to commit dangerous takeover style bank robberies?

July 29, 2008

LAS CRUCES NM NEWS -- Within the last month Las Cruces, New Mexico, located approximately 40 miles from the US - Mexico Border, has experienced two takeover style bank robberies. In the latest bank robbery a single gunmen stormed a Pioneer Bank, while in the second robbery two armed robbers stormed a Bank of the Southwest. Although unknown whether these are related instances, all gunmen are described as Hispanic, and due to the relatively close proximity to the US - Mexico Border, it raises the question, are these Mexican bandits crossing the border to commit takeover style bank robberies?

In the latest robbery on July 25, 2008, at the Pioneer Bank, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, a reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for the arrest of the armed robber. At approximately 2:54 P.M., an armed robber entered the bank located at the intersection of Roadrunner and Northrise. Brandishing a black semiautomatic pistol, the robber forced a teller to bind the hands and feet of the bank manager with duct tape. The robber then demanded the tellers fill a reddish-yellow plastic bag with cash before ordering them to lie down on the floor. The armed robber then exited the bank and escaped.

Pioneer Bank Robbery Suspect is described as:

• Age: late 30's to early 40's
• Height: 5'6"
• Build: Thin to Medium
• Eyes: Brown
• Hair: dark hair with sideburns
• Complexion: Dark
• Sex: Male
• Race: Hispanic

The suspect is further described as having a pockmarked face and speaking with a Hispanic accent. He wearing baggy jeans, a dirty long-sleeved grey sweatshirt, a black and gold baseball cap, and black-toed, white-topped tennis shoes, and a royal blue bandana over his face.

Meanwhile, in the June, 26, 2008, takeover style bank robbery in Las Cruces, New Mexico, which took place just after 9:00 A.M.. Two gunmen, also described as Hispanic, armed with semiautomatic weapons stormed the Bank of the Southwest, 605 North Waters Street. With their faces covered by bandanas, one gunman held one teller at gunpoint, while the other jumped onto the counter and demanded another teller fill a black gym bag with cash. No customers where inside the bank at the time and luckily neither of the tellers was injured. The two bank robbers escaped the bank on foot.

Bank of the Southwest Robbery Suspects are described as follows:

Suspect #1

• Height: 5'6"
• Weight: 175 pounds
• Hair: short black (shaved on the sides)
• Complexion: Dark
• Sex: Male
• Race: Hispanic
• Further Description: No age range was given, and the suspect was in "baggy" blue jeans, a green long sleeve T-shirt, a beige baseball cap and a white bandana worn over his face. He also wore distinctively, "square framed" sunglasses and blue surgical gloves.

Suspect #2:

• Height: 5'5"
• Weight: 150 pounds
• Hair: Black
• Complexion: Light
• Sex: Male
• Race: Hispanic
• Further Description: No age range was given, but was dressed in black jeans, a white long sleeve T-shirt, a light-blue baseball cap, a light-blue bandana covering his face, andblue surgical gloves.

Law Enforcement have recovered most of the clothing worn during the robbery with the exception of their pants.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, up to $1,000 in reward has been offered for any information that directly leads to the arrest of the Pioneer Bank robber who robbed the Las Cruces, New Mexico branch. Anyone with information is asked to call FBI Albuquerque at (505) 889-1300, or their local law enforcement agency.

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Cribmaster
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