FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force and JPSO Robbery Division Make Arrest in Recent Bank Robbery

FBI SAC David W. Welker and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Norman announce the arrest of a suspect in connection with the August 19, 2011 robbery of the Whitney Bank branch located at 4845 Veterans Blvd, Metairie, Louisiana. Today, at approximately 6:20 a.m., Don Lee Alexander, 36 years old, of Metairie, was arrested by members of the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force (NOVCTF) and the JPSO Robbery Division in the 900 block of Starrett Road in Metairie, Louisiana. The arrest was pursuant to federal charges of bank robbery filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana yesterday.

During last week’s robbery, the suspect approached a teller, handed her a note demanding money, and fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. He was seen getting into a dark red late-‘70s to early-‘80s vehicle believed to have been a Toyota or Nissan four-door car. Authorities recovered an older model Toyota Tercel vehicle today in the vicinity of where Alexander was located and arrested which is believed to have been used as the getaway vehicle in the robbery.

Alexander has been booked on the federal charge and is expected to have his initial appearance today at 2 p.m.

The FBI’s NOVCTF is comprised of members of the New Orleans Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and the FBI.

The public is asked to visit the website www.bandittrackerneworleans.com, featuring color photos and descriptions of bank robbers and fugitives throughout the FBI’s New Orleans Division to see if they can assist the FBI in identifying and/or locating the captioned wanted individuals.