Buffalo Man Charged With Bank Robbery And Threatening His Ex-girlfriend

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Vincent Gibson, 37, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with bank robbery, entering a bank with intent to commit a larceny, and interstate communication of a threat to injure a person. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth T. Molisani, who is handling the case, stated that on September 11, 2017, at approximately 1:36 p.m., a middle-aged black male wearing blue jeans, a tan Nautica baseball cap, a cream and gray sweater, and a plaid shirt underneath, entered the M&T Bank located at 1300 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. The male approached the teller and passed a note which read, "All $100 $50[,] No die (sic) Packs[,] Quiet Don't Make a Sense (sic)[.]" The teller gave the male United States currency and he departed the bank.

On October 27, 2017, an individual was interviewed by the Cheektowaga Police Department, and stated he/she has known Gibson for several years. Prior to observing any surveillance images related to the bank robbery, the individual stated the defendant was wearing blue jeans, a tan Nautica baseball cap, a cream and gray sweater and a plaid shirt underneath the sweater on September 11, 2017. The individual overheard Gibson tell a friend he had just robbed a bank on Jefferson Avenue. A detective then showed the individual a surveillance photograph from the M&T Bank robbery and he/she positively identified the bank robber in the surveillance photograph as the defendant.

On January 26, 2018, a second individual, who has a familial relationship with Gibson, was interviewed by the Buffalo Police Department. He/she was shown a surveillance photograph taken during the robbery and positively identified the bank robber as the defendant.

On October 17, 2018, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed a third individual who has maintained a close relationship with Gibson. The third individual stated that he/she was aware that the defendant has robbed banks in the past. He/she also stated that Gibson admitted that he had committed many bank robberies. The third individual was shown a surveillance photograph from the M&T bank robbery and positively identified the defendant.

The complaint further states that on October 14, 2018, Victim 1 was threatened by Gibson via text message. The victim and the defendant have a child in common and the victim recently ended their relationship. These threats included statements such as: ‘I'm (sic) kill you and I mean it,” “I'm about to get your kids,” and “I be at your house you die.”

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is being held.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Federal bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.

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.  

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