Buffalo Man Arrested, Charged with Bank Robbery

ROCHESTER, N.Y.–The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that  Jason Berg, 23, Buffalo, N.Y., was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with committing two bank robberies. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the defendant robbed the M&T Bank, located at 788 Tonawanda Avenue in Buffalo, on May 16, 2013 and the M&T Bank, located at 1580 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo, on June 12, 2013. The complaint further alleges that Berg passed notes to the bank tellers indicating he possessed a specific firearm and demanded specific amounts of money.

            The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is being detained. Berg is due back in court June 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. for a detention hearing.

            The Criminal Complaint is the result of a joint investigation by the Buffalo  Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.