Buffalo Man Arrested, Charged With Bank Robbery

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Isaiah J. Brown, 27, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with bank robbery. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on July 9, 2015, Brown entered the First Niagara Bank at 2853 Delaware Avenue in Kenmore, NY. The defendant approached the teller and asked to exchange a one dollar bill. After receiving four quarters, Brown handed the teller a note that stated “This is a robbery Give me all your $20, $50, $100 I do have a gun!!” The teller provided the defendant with a specific amount of money.

Brown, who was described as wearing a curly light brown wig, black zip up hoodie, and sunglasses, left the bank and go into a Liberty Cab. A witness at the scene called law enforcement who contacted Liberty Cab. The cab company located the vehicle through global positioning satellite (GPS) and assisted in leading officers to the location of the cab. 

A vehicle stop was conducted and the defendant was detained. According to the complaint, officers located a wig, money band and U.S. currency inside the vehicle.

Brown made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott and being held pending a detention hearing on July 16, 2015.  
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Kenmore Police Department, under the direction of Chief Peter Breitnauer and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.