Miami Gardens Man Arrested and Charged in Armed Bank Robbery

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and William J. Maddalena, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, announced that Ismael Cruz, 32, of Miami Gardens, was arrested without incident yesterday by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with an armed bank robbery.

On June 10, 2011, Cruz was charged in a criminal complaint with armed bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and 2113(d). Cruz made his initial appearance in court this afternoon before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen T. Brown. A pre-trial detention hearing has been scheduled for June 15, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrea M. Simonton.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, the robbery occurred on Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at a Wachovia branch on NW 186th Street in Hialeah. Cruz allegedly entered the bank and told bank employees that he was present for a job interview. After being escorted to an office, Cruz handed to a bank employee a document that he claimed was his "resumé." In fact, the document contained handwriting demanding $50,000, informing the bank employee that Cruz had a gun inside his backpack which he was pointing at the bank employee, and claiming that Cruz was working with others inside the bank who had guns.

According to the affidavit, the bank employee was later presented with a photo array, from which she identified Cruz as the robber. Another person familiar with Cruz identified Cruz as the robber after examining bank surveillance materials. Cruz was then arrested.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI and the South Florida Violent Crimes Task Force for their work on this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth M. Schlessinger.

A complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.