FBI: 2 indicted in connection with multiple robberies
Pratt suspect in Apache Junction Walmart, Safeway robberies
Posted 4/27/21
Francisco Bejarano, 32, of Phoenix, and Richard Pratt, 36, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, were federally indicted April 21 on a 13-count indictment that includes bank robbery and Hobbs …
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FBI: 2 indicted in connection with multiple robberies
Pratt suspect in Apache Junction Walmart, Safeway robberies
Posted
Francisco Bejarano, 32, of Phoenix, and Richard Pratt, 36, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, were federally indicted April 21 on a 13-count indictment that includes bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery charges.
The indictment charges Mr. Bejarano with one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery and two counts of bank robbery in connection with the following incidents this year, according to a release:
Jan. 22: Chase Bank, 9490 W. Camelback Road in Glendale; and
Jan. 26: Chase Bank, 3502 W. Bell Road in Phoenix.
The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and Phoenix Police Department arrested Mr. Bejarano April 22. Mr. Bejarano will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing.
The Goodyear Police Department on April 5, with assistance from the Phoenix Police Department and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, arrested Mr. Pratt in Goodyear. He remains in federal custody following a detention hearing, the release states.
The indictment charges Mr. Pratt with one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, six counts of bank robberies and five counts of Hobbs Act robberies in connection with incidents that occurred in the Valley this year including the following:
Jan. 21: First Convenience Bank, 2020 N. 75th Ave. in Phoenix;
Jan. 26: Chase Bank, 3502 W. Bell Road, in Phoenix;
Feb. 5: Desert Financial Credit Union, 5845 W. Bell Road in Glendale;
March 6: Family Dollar, 3555 W. Van Buren St. in Phoenix;
March 18: Safeway, 5035 W. Baseline Road in Phoenix;
March 23: Fry’s, 3949 E. Chandler Blvd. in Phoenix;
March 26: First American Credit Union, 1001 N. Pinal Ave. in Casa Grande;
March 26: Bank of America, 1691 E. Florence Ave. in Casa Grande;
April 2: US Bank, 16380 W. Yuma Road in Goodyear;
April 4: Walmart, 2555 W. Apache Trail, in Apache Junction; and
April 4: Safeway, 3185 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction.
No one was physically injured during the crimes, the release states.
The Hobbs Act is a federal statute that, among other things, prohibits robbery affecting interstate commerce (e.g., robbing a business).
This indictment is the result of collaboration and coordination of state, local and federal law enforcement partners.
“The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force would like to thank the Goodyear Police Department and the Phoenix Police Department for their outstanding work on this case, along with the Glendale Police Department, Chandler Police Department, Casa Grande Police Department, Apache Junction Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Arizona,” the release states.
Indictments are only accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for Arizona at azd.uscourts.gov or on PACER at pacer.gov.
The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force is comprised of the Phoenix Police Department, Peoria Police Department, Scottsdale Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office FATE team, Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
