Albuquerque man appears in court on bank robbery charge

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Angel Lara, 33, of Albuquerque, appeared in federal court on Dec. 14 for a preliminary and detention hearing on a charge of attempted bank robbery. Lara will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

            According to a criminal complaint, on Nov. 30, Lara allegedly entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Albuquerque and presented a demand note to a teller. The note included instructions to alert the media. The teller pressed an alarm button. As Lara was approached by security, Lara allegedly kept his hand in his jacket pocket and claimed to have a firearm. Police later arrived at the bank, negotiated with Lara, and took him into custody.

            A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Lara faces up to 20 years in prison.

            The FBI Violent Crimes and Gangs Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case.