For more information, contact: Eric Skrum, Wisconsin Bankers Association, 608/441-1216, eskrum@wisbank.com
Special Agent Benjamin Hruz, Federal Bureau of Investigation,414/276-4684
$5,000 Joint Reward Issued by Associated Bank, M&I Bank, U.S. Bank and Wisconsin Bankers Association
(MADISON) –A reward of $5,000 has been issued to the person who provided information leading to the arrest of a Milwaukee man responsible for a string of Wisconsin bank robberies. The reward was issued jointly by Associated Bank, M&I Bank, U.S. Bank and the Wisconsin Bankers Association (WBA) through the WBA Robbery Reward Fund.
“We are grateful to this individual for his help in apprehending this criminal,” said Kurt Bauer, WBA president/CEO. ““This reward was offered to provide another tool for law enforcement. Bank robbers are dangerous individuals who put the public and bank employees at risk. WBA and its members are committed to actions that bring these individuals to justice and deliver the message that robberies are not going to be tolerated.”
From January 18, 2011 through January 26, 2011, five banks in the City of Milwaukee were robbed by Emmet Bankhead. The names and locations of the financial institutions in Milwaukee were:
* U.S. Bank, 3720 W. Villard Ave. (January 18)
* M&I Bank, 2745 N. MLK Jr. Dr. (January 20)
* Wells Fargo Bank, 735 W. Wisconsin Ave. (January 22)
* U.S. Bank, 939 W. Mitchell St. (January 24)
* Associated Bank, 200 E. Wisconsin Ave. (January 26)
On January 30, 2011, a confidential source provided the exact location of Bankhead, who was subsequently arrested without incident by Milwaukee Police Department officers shortly after this information was supplied.
Bankhead has confessed to robbing all five banks and has been charged by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
“U.S. Bank is pleased to have been a part of this process, we will continue to support the association and law enforcement to ensure the safety of our customers and employees,” said John B. Wellborn SVP, Chief Security Officer U.S. Bank.
The distribution of the $5,000 reward is being coordinated with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Milwaukee Police Department.
The WBA established its Robbery Reward Fund in 1995. The fund provides rewards to individuals who identify anyone wanted in connection with a bank robbery or other crime committed at a bank location, including automatic teller machine (ATM) sites if that information leads to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the robbery.
Associated Bank, M&I Bank, U.S. Bank and WBA reminds would-be criminals that it is a federal crime to rob a federally insured depository institution and that 90 percent of all bank robbers are caught.
