New Photos Released by FBI in Violent Takeover Bank Robbery in Salem

Wells Fargo is offering a reward up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Photos: FBI

(SALEM, Ore.) - FBI Agents and Salem Police Officers are releasing new photos of the vehicle involved in the violent take-over style robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank branch in Salem on Friday, May 30th 2008.

FBI spokesperson Beth Anne Steele says the vehicle, a 1986 Chevrolet Blazer, was found the next day in a nearby Fred Meyer parking lot by a Salem patrol officer. Investigators believe the suspects purchased the vehicle in Portland two days prior to the robbery (using fake documentation), so it is likely that neighbors, family members or co-workers may have seen the Blazer in the days leading up to the robbery.

Steele says the robbery occurred at the Wells Fargo Bank branch located at 3245 Market Street NE in Salem at about 12:30 PM on May 30th.

"During the course of the robbery, the men repeatedly threatened to shoot the employees and customers if they did not cooperate. They also punched one female employee in the stomach and threw a disabled woman using a walker to the ground."

She says that due to the exceptionally violent nature of this robbery, Wells Fargo is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

"After receiving a sum of cash, the men were seen leaving the bank in the Chevy Blazer."

Witnesses describe the first of two suspects as a black male adult, 5'8-5'9" in height. He was reportedly wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt (with the hood over his head), blue jeans, bright white tennis shoes, and a blue bandana with white print on it over his face. He also was observed carrying a dark colored backpack.

The second suspect is a black male adult in his late 20's - early 30's. He was between 5'10-6'0" and weighed approximately 180 pounds. He was described as having a slender build. This man was reportedly wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, bright white tennis shoes, and blue bandanna with white print over his face.

There were ten Wells Fargo employees, one contract employee and four customers in the bank at the time of the robbery according to Steele.

"Agents are investigating whether this robbery may be connected to any others in the region, but as of yet, they have not made any definitive links."

Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call the Salem Police Department at (503) 588-6050 ext. 7132, the FBI in Salem at (503) 362-6601 during normal business hours or the FBI in Portland at (503) 224-4181 twenty four hours a day.

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