DENVER (LAWFUEL) – Tobias Archuleta, born in 1985, of Jefferson County, was charged by Criminal Complaint late yesterday with armed bank robbery, United States Attorney Troy Eid and FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis announced today. Archuleta is scheduled to make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Denver at 1:30 pm this afternoon, where he will be advised of the charges pending against him.
According to the Affidavit in support of the Criminal Complaint, on July 23, 2008, shortly after 9:00 am, an armed man entered the Bellco Credit Union located at 10058 West Progress Avenue in Littleton, Colorado. The man shot his firearm to get people’s attention, and then ordered everyone in the credit union to get down on the floor. He approached a teller demanding money. The teller complied. He then fired a second shot, and ordered a second teller to give him the money in the credit union’s vault. He left the scene in a credit union employee’s car, which he stole for his getaway.
At approximately 2:45 pm that same day, Archuleta called the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department to surrender. He was soon apprehended. Sheriff’s deputies and agents and officers of the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force later recovered cash from the robbery as well as a firearm thought to have been used during the crime.
“Coloradans are terrorized by far too many bank robberies – 208 in 2006 alone,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid. “A robber who walks into a bank and threatens violence – or actually fires shots as alleged here – is a serious threat to our community.” If convicted of armed bank robbery the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, plus restitution.
This case was investigated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI, and the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Hosley.
A Criminal Complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a federal felony crime has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.
The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
