Bank Robber Arrested

OKLAHOMA CITY—James E. Finch, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Oklahoma, announced the arrest of William Shelby Gomez, Native American, 19 years of age, from Newalla, Oklahoma

On June 20, 2011, a male entered Arvest Bank at 14900 S.E. 29th Street, Choctaw, Oklahoma carrying a shotgun and demanded money. The robber gathered cash and left the bank. He was seen entering a green Chevrolet or GMC crew cab pickup truck with another person in the vehicle. This truck was found by law enforcement later in the day. Investigators obtained information that the robber and the other person entered a white colored panel van that had red or brown lettering on its side. Witnesses thought the lettering referred to a plumbing business. Investigators located the owners of the van and they identified Mr. Gomez as the person using their van. The owners had video surveillance on the van due to prior thefts from the van. A review of the video surveillance showed an individual wearing a shirt similar to the robber enter the van and drive away with the green pickup truck following it.

On June 21, 2011, law enforcement received information Mr. Gomez had turned himself in at McLoud Police Department. FBI agents took custody of Mr. Gomez and transported him to the Grady County Detention Center. A complaint will be filed tomorrow in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma charging Mr. Gomez with violation of Title 18 USC 2113(a), bank robbery.

The robbery was investigated by the FBI, Choctaw Police Department, and the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office. The public is reminded that this arrest is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.