FBI Task Force Arrests Serial Bank Robber Based on Tip to Scottsdale Police‏

FBI agents and Scottsdale police officers arrested Michael Yanni, 26, of Phoenix, today for allegedly robbing eight banks in a 12-month time period in 2006 and 2007. Yanni was charged by a criminal complaint and made his initial appearance in federal court at 3:00 p.m. today. He will be detained pending a detention hearing set for Thursday, October 29th at 1:30 p.m.

According to the criminal complaint, an anonymous caller left a message for the Scottsdale Police Department on their TIP line in December 2008. Based on details provided by the caller, the Task Force investigated the case for 10 months. They located and spoke with victim tellers and witnesses, and showed them lineups to see if they could identify Yanni as the bank robber. Yanni, formerly of Scottsdale, was identified in all eight banks. Today, the Task Force located Yanni and arrested him without incident at his residence in Phoenix.

The complaint alleges that Yanni committed eight bank robberies in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Carefree and Marana, Ariz., between June 13, 2006, and June 29, 2007. He typically wore a bandana and mirrored aviator sunglasses. Also according to the complaint, after asking the victim tellers for money, he frequently asked them to “do it quietly.”

“The Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force has been extremely successful in bringing bank robbers to justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “When federal, state, and local law enforcement create and maintain partnerships to target specific crime, and the residents of Arizona also provide information, the result is safer communities.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan T. Gray, Phoenix Division, stated that, “The arrest of Michael Yanni by the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force is another fine example of the commitment and professionalism of task force members who represent their respective law enforcement agencies. Our law enforcement partners have been instrumental in the effectiveness of the bank robbery task force in its efforts to reduce bank robberies in the Valley. In addition, we are grateful to the public for its willingness to get involved and assist the law enforcement community.”

After countless hours of investigation leading to the arrest of Yanni, Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell stated, “The entire investigation is like a puzzle with many pieces. When we are looking for that final piece that a member of our community is holding, we greatly appreciate their cooperation in partnering with us. This case is a prime example of how the public can partner with us to remove a criminal from our streets.”

There have been 183 bank robberies in the Phoenix metropolitan area since January 1, 2009. The Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force has solved 121 to date.

A conviction for each count of Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBI has partnered with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Mesa Police Department, the Phoenix Police Department, the Scottsdale Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to form the Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force in order to investigate, arrest and seek prosecution of those responsible for robbing banks in the Valley. The prosecution in this case is being handled by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: 09-550M

RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-336(Yanni)

Source: FBI Phoenix Office

Federal, State, and Local Cooperation Nabs Homicide Suspect‏

The U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of State, Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Phoenix Police Department, members of the Arizona WANTED Task Force arrested Lazar Yousif Lazar as he re-entered the United States . In March 2009 a warrant was issued by the Maricopa County Superior Court for the arrest of Lazar after he failed to appear for court proceedings related to the prior charges of First Degree Murder, Assisting a Criminal Street Gang, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery.

Source: US Marshals

Fugitive Arrested in Arizona‏

Cathy J. Jones, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Ohio, announced that Marco Medina has been arrested. In August of 2004, United States District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr. issued a warrant for Medina’s arrest. The warrant charged Medina with Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute over one hundred kilograms of marijuana.

Source: U.S. Marshal

The Hot Head Bandit – Wanted

Phoenix FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan Thomas Gray announced today the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force, Phoenix Division is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying The Hot Head Bandit. He has allegedly robbed a total of five banks.

In today’s robbery an unknown male robbed the Wells Fargo Bank inside the Basha’s grocery store located at 5115 N. Dysart Road in Litchfield Park. The suspect approached the tellers, displayed a weapon and demanded money. Bank employees provided an undisclosed amount of money and the suspect exited the bank / grocery store on foot.

The unknown male is described as a White male, early to mid 50s, 5’6’’ – 5’8’, 150 – 200 lbs., dark t-shirt, shorts, dark sunglasses, and a baseball cap. In two of the robberies the unknown male wore a baseball cap with flames on it.

The following is a list of the other bank robberies:

US Bank, 8/17/2009, 440 N. Estrella Pkwy, Goodyear
M&I Bank, 8/20/2009, 19828 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix
National Bank of Arizona,9/18/2009, 20428 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix
US Bank, 9/29/2009, 4811 N. 83rd Ave., Phoenix

Bank employees and customers are asked to be on the look out for The Hot Head Bandit.

Please, contact the FBI Phoenix Office at (602) 279-5511 or Silent Witness at 480-Witness with any information about The Hot Head Bandit and/or the bank robberies.

Source: F.B.I. Phoenix Office

Unknown Bank Robber Wanted

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an unknown bank robber. On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, an unknown male entered the Wells Fargo Bank inside the Basha’s grocery store located at 5115 N. Dysart Road, Litchfield Park. He approached the teller window and presented a demand note containing a threatening message. The victim teller provided an undisclosed amount of money and he exited the bank on foot. No vehicle was seen.

The unknown male is described as a Middle Eastern male, 23 – 35 years, 5’5” to 5’6”, 160 lbs., beard, yellow or beige pageboy hat, light colored collared shirt, brown long sleeve pullover sweater with a Knight’s cross design on the front.

Please contact the FBI Phoenix Division at (602) 279-5511 or 480-WITNESS, with any information about the identity of the unknown bank robber and/or information about the bank robbery.

Source: F.B.I. Phoenix Office

Phoenix General Plan Update available for download

The Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association has requested the City of Phoenix Planning Department to make its presentation about the General Plan Update available online for download.

Click here to download a copy of this presentation.

FYI: It's a 4.6MB pdf.

Source: City of Phoenix

Encanto Village Visioning Workshop

Encanto Village Visioning workshops begin on October 5th.

Activity 1 asks Big Question #1:

What do you value most about Phoenix and why?

Please tell us!

Click here for further details.

Source: City of Phoenix