Cochiti Pueblo Man Charged with Robbing Bank in Rio Rancho in July 2015

ALBUQUERQUE – Marcelino Chalan, 27, of Cochiti Pueblo, N.M., appeared in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with bank robbery.  During the hearing, the court found probable cause to support the charge in the criminal complaint.

Chalan was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with robbing the Wells Fargo Bank branch inside the Albertson’s supermarket located at 3301 Southern Blvd. in Rio Rancho, N.M., on July 20, 2015.  The complaint alleges that Chalan robbed the bank by handing a handwritten note with a robbery demand to a bank teller.  The teller complied with Chalan’s written and verbal robbery demands and handed money over to Chalan.  Chalan left the scene in a vehicle that appeared to be driven by a female.  The investigation into Chalan began after the FBI received a tip identifying Chalan as the bank robber.

If convicted of the crime charged in the criminal complaint, Chalan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations.  All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI, the Rio Rancho Police Department, the Albuquerque, Police Department and the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley is prosecuting the case.