October 17, 2014

Attempted Bank Robber Who Led Police on Chase and Then Entered a Store to Avoid Apprehension Sentenced to 84 Months in Federal Prison

DALLAS—A Dallas man who attempted to rob a bank in Carrollton, Texas, last summer, and who led police on a vehicular chase, wrecked that vehicle and then entered a store to avoid apprehension, was sentenced this morning in federal court in Dallas, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

Michael Antonio Canez, aka Rudolph Rudy Casillas, 36, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 84 months in federal prison. Canez pleaded guilty in January 2014 to one count of attempted bank robbery. He has been in custody since his arrest shortly after the attempted robbery.

According to documents filed in the case, on August 10, 2013, Canez entered Capital One Bank, located at 2603 Old Denton Road in Carrollton with the intent to rob it. After he entered the bank, he presented a note to a teller that stated, “Give me all of the money. I have a gun.” Canez had his right hand in his pocket as if he had a gun. The teller advised that his cash drawer was in the drive-through area and that he needed to walk there to retrieve the cash. The teller walked away, but when he did not return, Canez became upset and tried to get the teller’s attention by yelling, “Hey, Sir!”

A second teller approached Canez and offered assistance. Canez told her to get the first teller. When the second teller walked to the drive-through area, the first teller advised her of the robbery in progress. When neither returned, Canez jumped the teller counter, looked in the back of the bank, and then jumped back over the counter, leaving the bank without obtaining any cash.

Officers with the Carrollton Police Department observed Canez running from the bank and entering a pickup truck. He evaded apprehension and a vehicular chase ensued. During that evasion, he discarded a BB/pellet pistol that officers later recovered and he later admitted to having in his right pants pocket during the attempted robbery. Canez ultimately wrecked his truck in the parking lot of a Target store and he entered the store in an attempt to avoid apprehension. Inside the store, according to the complaint filed, Canez put on a shirt from the store, purchased beer and attempted to walk out of the store. He was arrested as he left the store.

The FBI and Carollton Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson prosecuted.