Chubby Robber Captured

The El Paso Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have arrested the person dubbed the “Chubby Robber” who was wanted for multiple area bank robberies.

Following a press conference and media coverage on Monday, July 6, 2009, law enforcement began to receive tips about a possible suspect. On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, about 5:45 p.m., the El Paso Police Department executed an arrest warrant charging Ismael Serna Moreno, 45 years of age, with three counts of aggravated robbery related to local pawn shop robberies. At the same time, a federal search warrant was executed in the 2300 block of Tierra Grande as part of the bank robbery investigation.

“This is a prime example of where cooperation has made our community safer,” said Special Agent in Charge David Cuthbertson. “We could not have done this without the combined efforts of the public, the media and the police department.”

Moreno was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility in the early morning hours today. A complaint for bank robbery (18 U.S.C. 2113a) has been filed in federal court. He will be transferred to federal custody soon.

The FBI has now linked Moreno to four bank robberies:

• April 8, 2009, First Federal (aka Village People Robber)
• May 4, 2009, Bank of America
• June 3, 2009, Compass Bank (aka Golfer Robber)
• June 27, 2009, Bank of America

This leaves only three unsolved bank robberies for 2009. Moreno is currently only charged with one count of bank robbery, which is for the May 4, 2009, Bank of America, 7575 North Mesa robbery.