Three Individuals Charged in Federal Court with Armed Bank Robbery

United States Attorney James L. Santelle announced today that a federal criminal complaint was issued charging three individuals with the April 17, 2014 armed robbery of the BMO Harris Bank located on Appleton Avenue in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

The criminal complaint charges Zachary M. Ellis (21), Christopher R. Jacko (21), and Lindsey E. Fischer (21) with one count of armed bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and 2113(d), and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).

According to the criminal complaint, Ms. Fischer was a bank employee. The complaint alleges that after robbing the bank at gunpoint, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Jacko fled in a white vehicle. Mr. Ellis and Mr. Jacko ultimately abandoned the vehicle following a chase by Menomonee Falls police. Law enforcement later located and arrested Mr. Ellis and Mr. Jacko.

Each of the defendants appeared in federal court this afternoon, and all three were detained pending trial.

The case is being investigated the Menomonee Falls Police Department and the Milwaukee Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret Honrath.

The public is cautioned that a criminal complaint is merely a formal method of charging an individual and does not constitute inference of his or her guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until such time, if ever, that the government establishes his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.