Bank Robber Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison

Assistant U.S. Attorney Blanca Quintero (619) 546-7118

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – January 3, 2017

SAN DIEGO – Alvin Lee Neal was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia to 46-months in prison for robbing a Wells Fargo Bank branch in downtown San Diego.  Judge Battaglia also ordered Neal to pay $565 in restitution to Wells Fargo Bank.

In his plea agreement, Neal, 56, admitted that on May 13, 2016, he entered the Wells Fargo bank located on 610 First Avenue, San Diego, and approached a teller. At first, Neal swiped his Wells Fargo debit card through the Wells Fargo customer card reader located at the counter.  Neal’s bank profile appeared on the teller’s computer screen.  When the teller asked Mr. Neil what he wanted to do at the branch, the defendant responded, “You’re being robbed.  Don’t make a mistake.” Neal also handed a note to the teller that read, “You’re being robbed no mistake [sic]” and further told the teller “You don’t want anyone to get hurt, don’t make a mistake.”  Neal took $565 and fled from the bank.

Based on the information from Neal’s customer profile, FBI agents and San Diego Police Department detectives established surveillance around Neal’s residential address and ultimately arrested Neal.

DEFENDANT                                  Case Number: 16CR1188-AJB

Alvin Lee Neal                                              Age: 56                      

SUMMARY OF CHARGE                                                                  

Bank Robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a)         

Maximum penalty: 20 years in prison

AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego Police Department