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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Armed Bank Robber Unmasked

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating the individual responsible for today’s armed bank robbery at Atlanta, Georgia:

On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, during the mid-morning hours, a lone black male entered the Chase Bank located at 3330 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia, and, after putting on a porcelain doll-type facemask, and brandished a semi-automatic handgun while announcing a robbery. The robber then jumped over the teller counter and forcibly obtained an undisclosed amount of money.

The robber is described as being a black male, late 30’s to late 40’s in age, 5’8” – 5’10” in height, scruffy beard/facial hair, prescription eye glasses, black wool cap, white t-shirt, blue jeans, silver semi-auto handgun, porcelain doll-type facemask.

Two very detailed photographs of the robber’s face were taken by the bank’s ATM machine just prior to the robber placing the mask over his face.

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 Serial Bank Robber

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Brian D. Lamkin, FBI Atlanta, requests the assistance of the public in identifying and locating the individual responsible for a series of bank robberies at Gwinnett County, Georgia:

On Wednesday, 8/11/2010, at approximately 12:30 pm, a lone black male entered the Suntrust Bank inside of a Publix Shopping Store located at 4850 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, Georgia and proceeded to one of the bank’s teller counters. The robber opened the bag which contained a handgun and pointed it at the teller while demanding money. The victim teller gave the robber an undisclosed amount of cash and the robber fled on foot.

This same robber is believed to be responsible for a 6/15/2010 armed robbery of the Suntrust Bank, also located inside of a Publix Grocery Store, at 3435 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia (Oglethorpe Crossing).

The robber is described as being a black male, approximately 25-30 years old, 5'9" - 6'00", 160-170lbs, wearing camo baseball cap, black Ralph Lauren brand polo shirt, sunglasses, and carrying a blue Suntrust bag.

Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Atlanta office FBI 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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Suspect Sought in Savannah Bank Robbery

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a bank robber who is responsible for the following Savannah, Georgia bank.

On Saturday, 11/07/09, at approximately 1:04 p.m., a lone black male entered the Bank of America located at 14083 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia 31419. This person entered the building and stood in line at the teller counter that was closest to the exit door. A demand note was presented to the teller. The robber departed the bank without further incident, having obtained an undisclosed amount of money.

The bank robber was described as a black male, medium complexion, late twenties to early thirties, 6'0"-6'2", 190lbs, wearing green Reebok shoes, green sweat pants, multi colored green jacket and a black skull cap.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery should contact Savannah Crimestoppers at tel. (912) 234-2020 or the Savannah office FBI at tel. (912) 232-3716.

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Requesting Public’s Assistance in Identifying and Locating Serial Robber

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, requests the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a serial bank robber, dubbed the “Granddad Bandit,” who has robbed in at least seven states to date.

Beginning on April 10, 2009, in Houston, Texas, an unknown white male, approximate age between 50-60 years old, began a bank robbery spree that has taken him to Georgia, Virginia, Arkansas, Alabama, New York, and Florida. His robberies are described as being calm, with a deliberate attempt to not attract attention to himself. The robber quietly presents a demand note to the victim teller and thereafter departs the bank without disruption to normal banking business going on around him.

Below are the following bank robberies that are currently being attributed to this individual:

* 4/10/09 Houston, Texas Amergy Bank of Texas
* 4/29/09 Atlanta, Georgia Suntrust Bank (303 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA)
* 5/29/09 Roanoke, Virginia Valley Bank
* 7/03/09 Little Rock, Arkansas Arvest Bank
* 7/24/09 Dallas, Texas Wells Fargo
* 8/21/09 Birmingham, Alabama Servis 1st Bank
* 9/22/09 Syracuse, NY Solvay Bank
* 10/02/09 Atlanta, Georgia Suntrust Bank (1503 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA)
* 10/16/09 Tallahassee, Florida Bank of America

The robber is described as follows:

* Race: White
* Sex: Male
* Age: 50-60 years of age
* Hgt: 6’0” – 6’4”
* Wgt: 220-250 lbs.
* Build: Stocky
* Hair: bald with short gray hair on side
* Misc: prescription glasses

There is now a $10,000 reward being offered by law enforcement in this matter.

Anyone with information should call the Atlanta FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

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Final Defendant Sentenced in Interstate Bank Robbery Scheme Touching Eight States

Zarqurous Lequis Sanders, 25 of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced October 30 to 137 months’ imprisonment for his role in a conspiracy to commit numerous bank robberies in Virginia and several other states. In imposing the sentence, United States District Judge Henry E. Hudson also ordered Sanders to pay restitution to the various victims in the amount of $151,342. Sanders is the third of three men sentenced for the conspiracy. On May 15, 2009, Judge Hudson sentenced Sylvester Fred Mullins, age 35, of McDonough, Georgia, to 71 months’ confinement and ordered Mullins to pay $37,122 in restitution. On July 7, 2009, Judge Hudson sentenced Malik Rahmel Dillard, age 26, of Atlanta Georgia, the ringleader of this group, to 288 months’ confinement and ordered him to pay $178,425 in restitution. The sentencings were announced by Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Jennifer Love, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Richmond Division.

According to the documents filed in connection with the case, Dillard, Sanders, and Mullins admitted to their respective roles in a string of armed robberies that began on May 5, 2008 and continued until July 21, 2008, at various banks located in Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. Dillard admitted that he was the common participant in each of the robberies as the scheme progressed, with others, such as Mullins and Sanders, joining him at various times to commit different robberies. Although no firearms were used in these robberies, the conspirators threatened to injure the victim bank employees in each robbery if those employees did not comply with the demands of the robbers. In connection with their guilty pleas, Dillard, Sanders, and Mullins stipulated to their joint roles in the following robberies, which collectively resulted in actual losses of $178,425.00 to the victim banks:

a. May 5, 2008 – Dillard and another person robbed the Suntrust Bank, located at 760 W. Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia and stole approximately $1,999.00.

b. May 5, 2008 – Dillard and another person robbed the BB&T Bank, located at 991 Eagles Landing Parkway, Stockbridge, Georgia and stole approximately $5,680.00.

c. May 5, 2008 – Dillard and another person attempted to rob the Georgia Federal Credit Union, located at 2695 Panola Road, Lithonia, Georgia.

d. May 8, 2008 – Dillard and Mullins robbed the PNC Bank, located at 5436 Jefferson Davis Highway, Fredericksburg, Virginia and stole approximately $3,066.00.

e. May 15, 2008 – Dillard and Mullins robbed the SunTrust Bank, located at 118 Small Pine Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina and stole approximately $8,454.00.

f. May 28, 2008 – Dillard and Mullins robbed the SunTrust Bank, located at 9617 Holly Point Drive, Huntersville, North Carolina and stole approximately $7,884.00.

g. June 3, 2008 – Dillard, Mullins, and co-defendant Zarqurous Lequis Sanders robbed the SunTrust Bank, located at 7001 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee and stole approximately $5,728.00.

h. June 6, 2008 – Dillard, Sanders, and another person robbed the SunTrust Bank, located at 950 North Harrison Avenue, Cary, North Carolina and stole approximately $18,979.00.

i. June 10, 2008 – Dillard, Sanders, and another person robbed the M & F Bank, located at 101 Riverchase Parkway, Hoover, Alabama and stole approximately $25,600.00.

j. June 13, 2008 – Dillard, Sanders, and another person robbed the SunTrust Bank, located at 4030 Glenside Drive, Richmond, Virginia and stole approximately $30,996.00.

k. June 24, 2008 – Dillard, Sanders, and another person robbed the First Citizens Bank, located at 8541 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, North Carolina and stole approximately $20,200.00.

l. July 3, 2008 – Dillard, Mullins, Sanders, and another person robbed the First Citizens Bank, located at 4801 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh, North Carolina and stole approximately $11,990.00.

m. July 10, 2008 – Dillard, Sanders, and another person robbed the National City Bank, located at 8306 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, Ohio and stole approximately $10,313.00.

n. July 10, 2008 – Dillard, Sanders, and another person robbed the PNC Bank, located at 939 Hempstead Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio and stole approximately $27,536.00.

o. July 21, 2008 – Dillard and another person robbed the PNC Bank, located at 1327 Riverside Parkway, Belcamp, Maryland, and stole approximately $11,216.00.

p. July 21, 2008 – Dillard and another person robbed the PNC Bank, located at 505 Thornall Street, Edison, New Jersey, and stole approximately $8,130.00.

As part of their plea agreements with the United Statest, Dillard, Sanders, and Mullins agreed that all of the robberies they participated in should be considered “relevant conduct” for calculating their sentences, resulting in each defendant being punished for his role in stealing money from the banks within and outside of Virginia.

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Robbery of Suntrust Bank in Savannah

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a serial bank robber who is responsible for the following Savannah, Georgia bank robberies.

On 10/05/2009, at approximately 12:20 p.m., a lone black male entered the Suntrust Bank, located at 13060 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia. The robber proceeded to the customer counter and, after a brief period of time, proceeded to a teller station located near the lobby entrance where he presented a demand note. The robber departed the bank without further incident having obtained an undisclosed amount money.

This same robber is also believed to be responsible for the 9/04/2009 robbery of the Wachovia Bank, located at 10422 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia and the 9/14/2009 robbery of the BB&T Bank, located at 7 E. Congress Street, Savannah, Georgia.

The robber, a black male, is described as being in his early 20’s, 5’3”- 5’4” in height, weighing 130 lbs., wearing a light colored sweatshirt and skull cap.

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

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Albany Man Sentenced for Robbing Leesburg Bank in 2008‏

James Albert Creason was sentenced on October 8, 2009, to a term of 135 months in prison by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Creason, 52, of Albany, Georgia, pled guilty on July 21, 2009, to armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Creason’s sentence must be served in its entirety, as there is no parole in the Federal prison system.

Creason, armed with a .32 caliber handgun, robbed the Heritage Bank of the South in Leesburg, Georgia, of approximately $36,000 on August 8, 2008. After emptying the bank teller’s cash drawer, Creason led two bank employees to the vault where he obtained more funds. Creason was apprehended in his vehicle a short distance from the bank by officers with the Leesburg Police Department.

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Bank Robber Sentenced to Federal Prison

Maxwell Wood, United States Attorney announced that Wesley Sorrow, age 38, of Knoxville, Georgia was sentenced June 30 before the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia. Sorrow was sentenced to 160 months (13 years, 4 months) without the possibility of parole followed by three years of supervised release.

On November 25, 2008, Sorrow entered a guilty plea to one count of bank robbery in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113. According to the facts stipulated in Court, Sorrow admitted to robbing the BB&T Bank located on Mercer University Drive, Macon, Georgia. Sorrow entered the bank and presented a note stating that the bank was being robbed and demanded $2,000.00. Sorrow received funds from the bank teller and fled the bank. Sorrow was later apprehended by members of the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. Forensic evidence examined by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) linked Sorrow to the bank robbery.

United States Attorney Maxwell Wood stated that: "This case serves as an excellent example of how cooperation among law enforcement agencies can result in dangerous bank robbers being caught, prosecuted and sentenced to prison for a very long time."

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Four Bank Robbers Sentenced to Total of 539 Months in Prison‏

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced that Christopher Michael Walker and Georgeann Marie Nixon, both residents of Waynesboro, Georgia, were sentenced last week in U.S. District Court by U. S. District Judge J. Randal Hall for their roles in the June 26, 2008 armed robbery of the Regions Bank branch in Louisville, Georgia and the June 30, 2008 armed robbery of the Quick Cash payday loan store in North Augusta, South Carolina.. Walker was sentenced to 140 months and Nixon was sentenced to 60 months. Judge Hall recently sentenced Leonardo Davinci Hardwick of Waynesboro, Georgia to 219 months imprisonment for his role in those armed robberies, as well as for his participation in the July 7, 2008 armed bank robbery of the Southern Bank branch in Waynesboro, Georgia.

Another Waynesboro resident, Kellington Toan Chandler, had been previously sentenced by Judge Hall to 120 months imprisonment for his role in the Southern Bank robbery. Booth stated that the evidence at the guilty plea and sentencing hearings for these defendants established that Nixon drove Hardwick and Walker to the Regions Bank branch in Louisville, Georgia on June 26, 2008 in an automobile provided by Walker, where Hardwick entered the bank wearing a mask provided by Walker, pointed a firearm at a teller, and stole $3,100. The evidence also showed that Nixon drove Hardwick and Walker to the Quick Cash payday loan store located at 4701 Jefferson Davis Highway, North Augusta, South Carolina on June 30, 2008 in an automobile provided by Walker, where Hardwick entered the store wearing a mask provided by Walker, pointed a firearm at two employees, and stole $1,800. The evidence also established that Hardwick accompanied Chandler to the Southern Bank branch in Waynesboro, Georgia on July 7, 2008 and provided him with the firearm that Chandler used to steal $16,000 from a teller. While Chandler fled the bank, he fired the revolver twice but did not strike anyone.

Booth also noted that, in addition to imprisonment, these defendants will be required to pay restitution as follows: Hardwick, $10,792; Chandler, $5,887; Nixon, $4,905; and Walker, $3,205. After their release from prison, Hardwick, Chandler, and Walker will serve five years of supervised release and Nixon will serve three years of supervised release.

Booth praised the joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Waynesboro Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and the efforts of Assistant United States Attorney David M. Stewart who represented the government in this prosecution.

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Four Suspects Arrested for Metro Atlanta Armed Bank Robberies

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, Chief Terrell Bolton, Dekalb County Police Department, and Chief Charles M. Walters, Gwinnett County Police Department, announce the arrests of four suspects in a string of armed bank robberies around Metro Atlanta over the last 2 weeks. Currently in custody are SHANTAVIA GLASS, 22, of Lithonia, WILLIAM BERK HARROLD, a.k.a. “MAN-MAN”, 18, also of Lithonia, and ZACHERY ANTONIO HARRIS, a.k.a. “MURDER” 20, of Ellenwood. Also arrested was a 16-year old male from Duluth, Georgia who is believed to have been a participant in the robberies. The FBI does not release the names of minors.

Following the release of photographs associated with Wednesday’s robbery of the Bank of America at 3040 Panola Road in Lithonia, GLASS turned herself in to the Dekalb County Police Department, where she was questioned by Dekalb County Investigators and Special Agents of the FBI. GLASS remains in custody at the Dekalb County Jail, but will probably be transferred to Federal custody later today (December 19).

HARROLD, HARRIS, and the 16-year old male fled Georgia along with two female acquaintances and the 2-year old child of one of those females. Based in large part on tips received from the public following Wednesday’s newscasts, they were eventually located in McComb, Mississippi. At approximately 4:00 am December 19, Officers of the McComb City Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle believed to be operated by the suspects, during which they arrested HARROLD and a 20-year old female acquaintance. Based on information gathered during the traffic stop, the McComb Police Department SWAT team was activated, and conducted a search of a room at the nearby Deerfield Inn in McComb. Inside that room, police arrested HARRIS and the 16-year old suspect.

All the suspects arrested in Mississippi are currently in the custody of the Pike County Sheriff’s Department. It is expected they will also be eventually transferred to Federal custody.

The public can also review information concerning these and other bank robberies at www.georgiabankrobbery.com, an interactive site which provides bank robbery details, photographs, and the opportunity for the public to provide information to the FBI via the Internet.

The public is reminded that all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to More Than 167 Years in Prison

SOUKSAKHONE PHAKNIKONE, 26, a/k/a "Bruce Phaknikone," and "Trigga," of Dacula, Georgia, was sentenced December 18 by United States District Judge Richard W. Story 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.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of today's sentence, "Over a seven-month period in 2006 and 2007, this defendant terrorized people in banks across metro Atlanta. While his violent and aggressive tactics enabled him to victimize numerous unsuspecting bank tellers, the sentence he received today ensures that the remainder of his life will be spent behind bars. Innocent citizens will never again suffer from the gun-toting violence of this criminal."

PHAKNIKONE was sentenced to 167 years, 1 month in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $86,706. After a trial lasting approximately a week and a half, the jury convicted PHAKNIKONE of these charges on September 25, 2008.

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.

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 Angela M. Jordan and Matthew T. Jackson prosecuted the case.

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Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to Prison for over 25 Years

DONNIE ATKINS, 58, of Atlanta , Georgia , was sentenced November 7, 2008, by United States District Judge Marvin H. Shoob to over 25 years in federal prison on a charge of armed bank robbery.

“This defendant terrorized bank tellers and employees whose only mistake was to show up at the bank to do an honest day’s work,” said United States Attorney David E. Nahmias. “Then he brazenly and recklessly shot at Atlanta Police officers who arrived at the scene to stop the robbery. Fortunately, no officer or bank employee suffered any physical injuries. The sentence imposed on this defendant shows the harsh consequences for anyone who would dare to rob a bank at gunpoint, including significant time in federal prison.”

ATKINS was sentenced to 25 years, 8 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. ATKINS pleaded guilty to the charge on August 22, 2008.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: On December 13, 2007 , at approximately 9:10 a.m. , ATKINS and an unidentified accomplice robbed the Capitol City Bank at gunpoint, located at 2358 Cascade Road , Atlanta. Employees of the bank noticed the two men as they approached the bank, and thought that the men looked suspicious because they were wearing sweatshirts with hoods covering their heads and faces. An armed security guard attempted to block their entry into the back door of the bank, but the men overpowered him, forced him to the ground, removed his weapon, and handcuffed him. The accomplice stayed with the guard during the robbery, keeping a gun pointed at the guard’s head. ATKINS forced at gunpoint bank employees who were hiding in a break room to come into the lobby and to lie on the floor. One of the employees was on the phone with an emergency dispatch operator when ATKINS came into the break room. ATKINS took more than $15,000 from the teller drawers. ATKINS demanded access to the vault, but the tellers told him that they did not have the keys to the vault. ATKINS began kicking the iron gate to the vault to gain access when his accomplice alerted ATKINS that two police cars had pulled up to the bank. ATKINS and his accomplice ran out of the bank and separated. Atlanta Police Department officers chased ATKINS, and he turned around and fired several shots at them. ATKINS continued to run and, as he attempted to shoot at the pursuing police officers again, he shot himself in the shoulder. At that point, ATKINS was taken into custody. ATKINS had all of the robbery money in a bag that he was carrying. Moreover, ATKINS also had on him a gun that was taken from the armed security guard at a robbery of the same bank on June 22, 2007.

ATKINS’ accomplice has not yet been located, and the FBI’s investigation and search continues. Anyone with information about the accomplice is asked to call the FBI at 404-679-9000.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul R. Jones prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced NAH-me-us), United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.

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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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GeorgiaBankRobbery.com Website Announced to Aid in Apprehending Suspects

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Bank Security (GABS), is pleased to announce the following new aid to crime fighting in Georgia:

A new publicly accessed web site, GeorgiaBankRobbery.com, is designed to assist law enforcement in the identification and apprehension of suspects throughout Georgia. This web site features images of persons who may be involved in criminal activity and wanted for questioning. Through this web site, the public is urged to click on the image to send comments or contact law enforcement (a direct link with contact information for Atlanta Crime Stoppers is provided) should they recognize any of these individuals or know their whereabouts.

GeorgiaBankRobbery.com is sponsored by the member banks of the Georgia Association of Bank Security (GABS).

The Georgia Association of Bank Security (GABS) was formed in 1980 by Bank Security Directors from the Major Atlanta Financial Institutions, after discussions with each other found that they each had similar criminal activity that was affecting each others companies. They decided that one of the best ways they could help solve their own crimes was to help each other as a united group. They started sharing information about Bank Robbery Suspects and other financial crimes with not only each other but also the FBI, and Local & State Law Enforcement. They found out that not only was this group successful in solving crimes together, they could also be a unified force in making changes in security training, and driving new development for security equipment.

FBI Seeks Information in Savannah Bank Robbery

William Kirkconnell, Senior Supervisory Resident Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Savannah office requests assistance with identifying the three men responsible for the July 3, 2008 , robbery of Wachovia Bank, located at 3500 Ogeechee Road , Savannah . The bank was robbed at approximately 10:00 a.m.

Witnesses advised that the robbers were three black males, early twenties, ranging in height from approximately 5’06” to 6’00” tall, with slim builds. The robbers were wearing black hooded sweat shirts, black pants/shorts, and one had a red bandanna covering his face. Two employees of the bank were pushed down by the robbers.

Any information which may assist Agents can be furnished to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 912/232-3716 or to Crimestoppers at 912/234-2020. A bank surveillance photograph is shown below.

FBI Seeks Information in Attempted Bank Robbery

On Tuesday, June 24, 2008 , at approximately 8:21 a.m. , two black males, one armed with a revolver handgun, the other armed with an SKS type assault rifle, entered the Atlanta Federal Credit Union, located at 3075 Sylvan Road , Atlanta , GA ( East Point ) and attempted an armed robbery.

The bank employees retreated further into the bank and the robbers departed without having obtained any money.

The robbers, described as black males in their early to late 20’s and with slender builds, were both wearing “do rag” style masks and were observed departing the bank in a 2001 Chevrolet Blazer. This vehicle was later recovered by law enforcement about a mile and a half away from the bank ( East Washington Ave./Blunt Street area). This vehicle was reported stolen from the Lithonia, Georgia area and is currently being processed by crime scene investigators.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.