NEW ORLEANS—FBI New Orleans Field Office Special Agent in Charge Bryan Vorndran announces the arrest and charging via federal complaint of Bernell Breaux for his alleged involvement in two bank robberies in the New Orleans area.

The first robbery which Breaux is charged with occurred on Thursday, January 2, 2020, at Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company located at 200 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. Witnesses stated that at approximately 2:35 p.m., Breaux approached the teller counter, brandished a black handgun, and presented a note demanding money. Prior to obtaining any U.S. currency, Breaux exited Gulf Coast Bank and Trust. Following the attempted robbery, Breaux fled the bank on a bicycle.

On Thursday, January 2, 2020, Breaux then entered Capital One Bank located at 4121 Canal Street in New Orleans at approximately 3:06 p.m. Witnesses stated Breaux approached the teller counter, brandished a black handgun, and presented a note demanding money. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency, Breaux exited the Capital One Bank and fled on a bicycle.

Breaux, a 57-year-old resident of Orleans Parish, was taken into custody without incident on Monday, January 6, 2020, at approximately 11:30 a.m. in Orleans Parish by the FBI’s New Orleans Violent Crime Task Force (NOVCTF).

Breaux was transported to the St. Bernard Parish jail and charged with two counts of 18 U.S.C. 2113(a) – Bank Robbery.

In cooperation with Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans and through the assistance of the news media, tips were generated which led to Breaux’s arrest.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana is prosecuting this matter.

The public is reminded that criminal complaints such as this contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The public can visit bankrobbers.fbi.gov for further information about suspects wanted for bank robbery.