21-year-old federally charged, accused of using realistic BB gun in bank robbery
Isaac Meraz, 21, was arrested Tuesday, May 27, after he allegedly robbed the ENT Credit Union on West Drake Road at about 2 p.m.
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The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado said Meraz was wearing a 'full rubber mask with attached fake hair,' and told bank employees 'he was there to 'audit' the bank.'
Prosecutors said Meraz then produced what appeared to be a handgun and forced three employees to accompany him inside the bank's vault. Prosecutors said Meraz pointed the 'gun' at an employee, and 'out of fear and intimidation, that employee provided Meraz with money out of the vault.'
The U.S. Attorney's Office said that while fleeing the credit union, Meraz dropped some of the stolen money and the apparent firearm. Later, officials determined it was a realistic-looking BB gun.
While officials were investigating the incident, they placed Rocky Mountain High School on secure status for about 15 minutes.
Fort Collins Police Services said it later served a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of City Park Avenue and recovered 'key evidentiary items.' Fort Collins police and the FBI worked jointly on the investigation.
According to Cornell Law School, the charge of bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, with no minimum sentence outlined in the law. Bank robbery with forced accompaniment carries an additional minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Meraz made his initial court appearance on May 30.
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