Armed Robbery of Wachovia Bank Branch in Snellville

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating two armed bank robbers responsible for today’s robbery of the Wachovia Bank, located at 3520 Centerville Highway, Snellville, Georgia. These individuals are believed to be responsible for a series of recent takeover-style armed bank robberies within the metro Atlanta, Georgia area wherein the robbers often wore shoulder-length black wigs.

On Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at approximately 12:00 noon, two black males wearing masks and brandishing handguns entered the Wachovia Bank, located at 3520 Centerville Highway, Snellville, Georgia. Customers were forced to the floor and the teller counter was vaulted. During the robbery, one shot was fired into the bank’s ceiling by one of the robbers. The robbers obtained an undisclosed amount of money and were observed departing in a Dodge Magnum, which was recovered nearby and determined to have been stolen from Cobb County, Georgia several days prior.

While nobody was injured, a bank employee was transported to a nearby hospital for medical observation as a precaution.

As a result of today’s robbery, Wells Fargo has authorized a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for these takeover robberies.

The robbers are described as follows:

Robber #1 is described as a black male, 20-30 years in age, 5’8”-5’10” tall
Robber #2 is described as a black male, 20-25 years in age, 6’0” tall

Prior similar area robberies include:

7/27/10 - Wachovia, Clairmont Rd, Atlanta/Dekalb County, GA. Two black males, wigs, guns, takeover-style, 10:44 a.m.

7/30/10 - Chase Bank, 5552 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, GA. Four males entered the bank, demanded money; two of the males were armed with pistols and a third was armed with an assault rifle; described as black males, wearing dark clothing and ski masks; ranged in height from 5’5” – 5’10” tall. 10:15 a.m.

8/16 /10 - Wachovia Bank, 3374 Holcomb Bridge Rd., (Holcomb Corners) Norcross, GA. Two black males, wearing wigs, displaying guns, takeover-style robbery. 10:20 a.m.

8/20/10 - Chase Bank, 1050 E. Piedmont Rd. (Piedmont Commons), Marietta, GA. Two black males, armed takeover-style robbery, wearing masks, no wigs. 1:11 p.m.

8/25/10 - Wachovia Bank, 1280 Dogwood Rd, Conyers, GA. Two black males, wearing wigs, displaying guns, takeover-style robbery. 10:43 a.m.

8/26/10 - BB&T, Covington, GA. One black male, takeover-style robbery, stolen silver Lexus recovered.

8/27/10 - Chase Bank, 2079 S. Hairston Rd. (Hairston Crossing) Decatur, GA. Two black males, guns displayed, takeover-style robbery, no wigs. 10:15 a.m.

Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

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Seeking Information on Three Robberies in the Atlanta Metro Area

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating the individuals believed to be responsible for at least three bank robberies in metro Atlanta, Georgia.

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at approximately 10:43 a.m., two black males entered the Wachovia Bank, located at 1280 Dogwood Drive, Conyers, Georgia, brandishing handguns and disguising themselves with black wigs while announcing a robbery. After obtaining an undisclosed amount of money, the robbers departed the bank without further incident.

These two robbers are also believed to be responsible for two additional armed robberies within the metro Atlanta area, the details of which are provided below:

On Monday, August 16, 2010, at approximately 10:30 a.m., two black males, armed with handguns, entered the Wachovia Bank located at 3374 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross, Georgia and proceeded to take over the banking center. Robber #1 vaulted over the teller counter, while Robber #2 remained in the lobby area, ordering other bank patrons to the ground at gunpoint. The armed robbers obtained an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the bank, possibly in a silver Lexus.

On Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at approximately 10:44 a.m., two black males, armed with handguns, entered the Wachovia Bank located at 2725 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia and announced a robbery. Robber #1 vaulted the teller counter, carrying a blue canvas bag and obtained an undisclosed amount of money from the teller stations. Robber #2, while brandishing a silver semi-automatic handgun, remained in the lobby of the bank and ordered customers to the ground. Both robbers departed the bank shortly thereafter without further incident.

The robbers are described as follows:

Robber #1 is described as a black male, 20-30 years in age, wearing a short black wig, glasses, and t-shirt.
Robber #2 is described as a black male, 20-25 years in age, wearing a shoulder length wig, black in color, shorts, work style boots, stocky build.

The robbers are believed to be traveling in a silver Lexus.

Both robbers brandished handguns throughout the robbery and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000 or Conyers PD at tel. (770) 929-4206.

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FBI: Seeking Assistance in Locating Armed Bank Robbery Suspects

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating the individuals believed to be responsible for at least two (2) bank robberies in metro Atlanta, Georgia:

On Monday, August 16, 2010, at approximately 10:30 a.m., two black males, armed with handguns, entered the Wachovia Bank located at 3374 Holcomb Bridge Road, Norcross, Georgia and proceeded to take over the banking center. Robber #1 vaulted over the teller counter, while Robber #2 remained in the lobby area, ordering other bank patrons to the ground at gunpoint. The armed robbers obtained an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the bank, possibly in a silver Lexus.

On Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at approximately 10:44 a.m., two black males, armed with handguns, entered the Wachovia Bank located at 2725 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia and announced a robbery. Robber #1 vaulted the teller counter, carrying a blue canvas bag and obtained an undisclosed amount of money from the teller stations. Robber #2, while brandishing a silver semi-automatic handgun, remained in the lobby of the bank and ordered customers to the ground. Both robbers departed the bank shortly thereafter without further incident.

The robbers are described as follows:

* Robber #1 is described as a Black male, 20-30 years in age, wearing a short black wig, glasses, and t-shirt.

* Robber #2 is described as a Black male, 20-25 years in age, wearing a shoulder length wig, black in color, shorts, work style boots, stocky build.

The robbers are believed to be traveling in a silver Lexus.

Both robbers brandished handguns throughout the robbery and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

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Seeking Assistance in Locating Armed Serial Bank Robber

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating two armed bank robbers responsible for the July 27 armed robbery of the Wachovia Bank, located at 2725 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia (Dekalb County).

On Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at 10:44 a.m. two black males entered the Wachovia Bank, 2725 Clairmont Road, and announced a robbery. Robber #1 jumped the teller counter with a blue canvass bag and obtained an undisclosed amount of money from the teller stations. Robber #2, brandishing a silver semi automatic handgun, remained in the lobby of the bank and ordered customers to the ground. Both robbers departed the bank shortly thereafter without further incident.

The robbers are described as follows:

Robber #1: Black male, 20-30 years in age, wearing a short black wig, glasses and t-shirt.

Robber#2: Black male, 20-25 years in age, wearing a shoulder length wig, black in color, cammo shorts, timberlake style boots, stocky build, brandishing a silver semi auto handgun.

The robbers are believed to be traveling in a 2005 Toyota Corolla, grey in color, bearing Georgia license plate BIG-9533. This vehicle was stolen in a carjacking on 7/26/10 at 3:10 a.m. in the 4000 block of Treecrest Parkway (Crestview Apartments), Dekalb County, Georgia.

Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the FBI Atlanta office at tel. (404) 679-9000.

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Seeking Public’s Assistance in Locating Violent Armed Bank Robber

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a violent armed bank robber who is responsible for the following two Atlanta area bank robberies:

On Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at approximately 9:05 a.m., a lone black male entered the Wachovia Bank, located at 2349 Chesire Bridge Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia, and ordered everybody to put their hands up. The robber, who was carrying a black semi-automatic handgun and a black bag approached the first victim teller and demanded money. The first victim teller placed money from her teller drawer into the black bag. Afterwards, the robber approached two additional tellers and demanded money. After receiving money from the two additional tellers, the robber ran out the bank and fled the bank in a gray or silver vehicle.

On Wednesday, December 09, 2009, at approximately 9:10 a.m., a lone black male entered the Wachovia Bank, located at 5425 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Chamblee, Georgia and approached the teller counter. The robber, armed with a handgun, threw two bags over the teller counter and demanded money from the tellers. The robber also threatened to shoot individuals in the bank. After receiving money from the tellers, the robber ran out of the bank.

The robber is described as a black male, 6'0" - 6'4", 35 - 45 years old, 220 - 250 lbs, large build, wearing a black trench coat (second robbery) or black blazer (first robbery), white shirt, black gloves, black ski mask, and carrying a black semi-automatic handgun

Wachovia Bank has announced a reward of up to $15,000 in this matter.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies is asked to contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

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Robbery of the Wachovia Bank in Norcross, Georgia

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, along with the Gwinnett County Police Department, is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a serial bank robber who robbed the Wachovia Bank, Holcomb Corners, Norcross, Georgia, November 27.

On Friday, November 27, 2009, at approximately 12:42 p.m., a lone black male, wearing a black motorcycle helmet, leather jacket, and a police badge around his neck, entered the Wachovia Bank, Holcomb Corners, Norcross, Georgia, and verbally announced a bank robbery to a bank teller while threatening a weapon. The robber departed the bank without incident, having obtained an undisclosed amount of money.

The robber was described as being a light skinned black male, late thirties in age, 5’8”-5’10” in height, approximately 175 lbs., wearing a black motorcycle helmet, dark sunglasses, black leather jacket, a black shirt with white letters possibly with “Police” on front, wearing a silver law enforcement badge around his neck.

The above robber is possibly injured from an exploding dye pack. He is also believed to be responsible for a similar bank robbery in Sandy Springs, Georgia last month and was observed departing in a black two door Infiniti at that robbery.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies is asked to contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

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Seeking Information on Savannah Bank Robbery

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, along with the Savannah Chatham County Police Department, is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the individuals responsible for today’s (November 24) armed robbery of the following Savannah, Georgia bank:

On Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at approximately 9:00 a.m., three black males, all armed with and displaying handguns, entered the Wachovia Bank, located at 3507 West Bay Street, Savannah, Georgia. During the robbery, one of the robbers went behind the tell counter, taking money out of one of the teller stations and placing it in a black satchel that he had with him. The robbers departed the bank without further incident having obtained an undisclosed amount money. The robbers were seen getting into a late 1980’s model white Buick with a Georgia license plate and proceeding east on Bay Street.

The robbers were described as being black males, 25 years old or younger. Two of the robbers were 5’8”-5’9” in height, the third was 5’3”-5’5” in height. All were wearing blue zip up style jump suits, displaying handguns (possibly revolvers), and wearing gloves and masks.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies are asked to contact Savannah Crimestoppers at tel. (912) 234-2020 or the Savannah office of the FBI at (912) 232-3716.

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Public’s Assistance Sought in Locating Two Serial Bank Robbers

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, requests public assistance in identifying and locating two serial bank robbers responsible for the robbery of the following metro Atlanta area banks:

1. Wachovia Bank, 6226 Hwy 85, Riverdale, GA; 10/13/09
2. Suntrust Bank, 141 Forest Pkwy, Forest Park, GA; 10/19/09
3. Chase Bank, 2015 Mt. Zion Rd., Morrow, GA; 10/21/09
4. Suntrust Bank, 141 Forest Pkwy, Forest Park, GA; 10/26/09
5. RBC Bank, 7906 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro, GA; 11/02/09
6. RBC Bank, 1586 Southlake Pkwy, Morrow, GA; 11/02/09

The robbers in the above bank robberies has entered the banks, wearing coats in all of the robberies except one, wearing baseball caps. The robbers presented the victim tellers with a demand note, never displaying an actual weapon.

The robbers are described as being a black males in their early to mid 20’s in age, one of them with a diamond earring and a gold wedding style ring on his right index finger.

Anyone with information regarding these robberies should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.






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“Career Criminal” Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery

ARTHANIEL SMITH JR., 37, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Rome to the armed bank robbery of the Wachovia Bank at 4580 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway in Hiram, Georgia. Classified as an armed “career criminal,” because of an extensive criminal history, SMITH agreed to a sentence of over 40 years in prison.

Acting United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “Today a career offender has been removed from the society he has victimized for more than fifteen years. This defendant’s long confinement in federal prison ensures that Georgia citizens will not again fall prey to his violent crimes.”

Gregory Jones, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta, said, “The FBI is relieved to have such a career offender off the streets. I commend the observant witness who relayed vital information in this case to the responding law enforcement officers. It is this type of community involvement and partnership with law enforcement that will help keep their communities safe.”

According to Acting United States Attorney Yates and the information presented in court: SMITH admitted that on March 2, 2009, he and another male unlawfully entered the Wachovia Bank at 4580 Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway in Hiram, Georgia and hid inside the bank. The following morning, when the first employee of the day entered the bank, SMITH and his cohort, armed with handguns, confronted the employee and demanded money contained in the Bank's vault. After obtaining the funds, both men fled from the bank to a waiting vehicle. A concerned citizen observed the men flee the bank and reported the make, model and tag number of their vehicle. SMITH and his cohort were stopped by a Paulding County Sheriff's Deputy within ten minutes. All of the bank's funds were recovered from the vehicle, along with the gloves, masks and handguns used by the robbers. Both men subsequently confessed to committing the crime.

SMITH will be sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Vining, Jr. on December 17, 2009 at 10 a.m.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the FBI.

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Newnan Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling More Than $1.2 Million from Wachovia Bank

Judy Yvette Rosser, 41, of Newnan, Georgia, was sentenced July 16 by United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr. to serve over three years in federal prison on a charge of embezzling more than $1.2 million from Wachovia Bank.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, "This defendant, who was a trusted and long-time employee of Wachovia Bank with access to the bank's general ledger system, violated the trust that the bank had placed in her by embezzling more than $1.2 million of the bank's money over the past eight years. She will now face the consequences of her abuse of trust in federal prison. "

ROSSER was sentenced to three years, five months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $1,296,353 in restitution. On April 13, 2009, ROSSER pled guilty to a Criminal Information, which charged her with embezzlement by a bank employee.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: ROSSER was employed by Wachovia Bank for the past 22 years and worked at the bank's Atlanta Operations Center in Hapeville, Georgia, where her responsibilities included processing exception transactions, including suspense and expense items, within the bank's general ledger system. From August 2000 through January 2009, ROSSER electronically transferred a total of approximately $1.2 million of the bank's money into her personal checking account by creating and processing a complex series of fictitious debits and credits, which went undetected for over eight years.

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“Counter-Jumper” Caught and Convicted After Committing Seven Armed Bank Robberies

A jury in federal district court returned a guilty verdict late September 25, 2008, against SOUKSAKHONE PHAKNIKONE, a/k/a “BRUCE PHAKNIKONE,” a/k/a "Trigga", 26, of Dacula, Georgia, on seven counts of armed bank robbery, seven counts of use of a firearm during the commission of the armed bank robberies, and one count of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. PHAKNIKONE was convicted on all counts of the indictment after the jury deliberated approximately five hours.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of today’s verdict, “This defendant has terrorized bank tellers for the last time. At trial many victims of this defendant described the fear and danger he created when he vaulted the teller counters in seven separate armed bank robberies. “Trigga” used his loaded semi-automatic firearm to steal thousands of dollars. Our community will be a safer place as a result of the cooperative and coordinated efforts of the many federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who worked on this case.”

FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Greg Jones said, “We are extremely pleased with the jury's verdict today. The emotional harm caused by Mr. Phaknikone to the numerous bank employees during his crime spree cannot, and is not overlooked by those pursuing justice in this matter. We thank not only the diligent prosecutors in this case but also the jury in remembering the victims as this case was presented and the violent nature of Mr. Phaknikone's crimes.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: PHAKNIKONE was arrested on April 6, 2007, after he robbed a Wachovia Bank in Suwanee, Georgia, and led police on a high speed chase that ended in a collision and his apprehension at gun point. The evidence at trial proved that on seven separate occasions, “Trigga” robbed banks wearing a ski mask, hoodie, gloves and carrying a semi-automatic firearm. In each robbery he vaulted the teller counter and personally grabbed the cash. Although he went to great lengths to conceal his identity, investigators recognized his signature actions, including jumping the counter in each of his robberies. Intensive investigation revealed PHAKNIKONE had visited a number of the banks without his mask to “case” and plan the robberies. Agents obtained bank surveillance photos from “Trigga’s” pre-robbery visits to the banks, which in effect, removed his mask for the jury and revealed “Trigga’s” true identity.

PHAKNIKONE faces a maximum sentence of seven life sentences plus 150 years, and faces a mandatory minimum of 157 years in prison, and a fine of up to $3,750,000. Sentencing is not yet scheduled before United States District Judge Richard W. Story.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and police officers from the following departments: Suwanee Police Department, Lilburn Police Department, Duluth Police Department, Gwinnett County Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and Barrow County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew T. Jackson and Angela M. Jordan are prosecuting the case.

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