Watch CBS News

'No Dye Packs, No Tracers, No Games': Bank Robber Sentenced To 72 Months In Prison

By Anna Maria Basquez

THORNTON, Colo. (CBS4) – A Thornton man was sentenced to federal prison for 72 months this week for his role in a robbery of Bank of the West. In September of 2020, Brandon Lee Schneider, 35, wrote a note for an associate to carry into the bank to the teller.

According to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado, it read, "No dye packs, no tracers, no games. Put all the money in the drawer to me now Thx."

Brandon Lee Schneider (Thornton Bank Robber, sentenced, from Adams Cnty SO)
Brandon Schneider (credit: Adams County)

Government officials contend four other bank robberies were committed by the defendant and his associates, according to the statement.

The plea agreement in the case outlined four other apparent robbery situations in which Schneider is indicated to have written similar notes for three associates to hand to tellers. It outlined the defendant would agree to pay restitution including the money stolen, back from each case.

The plea outlines him to pay:

  • $1,508 taken Sept. 29, 2021 from Bank of the West, 12080 Colorado Blvd. in Thornton, which is the original charge in the court document.
  • $4,586 taken Sept. 26, 2021 from Key Bank, 14412 Orchard Pkwy. In Westminster
  • $2,776 taken Oct. 2, 2021 from Key Bank, 7198 Federal Blvd., in Westminster
  • $1,330 taken Oct. 7, 2021 from Vectra Bank, 4151 E. 136th Ave. in Thornton
  • Another event appearing to be an attempted robbery also with his  involvement was recorded by the plea agreement Oct. 8, 2021 at Chase Bank, 4791 Tower Rd. in Denver in which similar tactics with a note delivered through an associate did not result in gaining money from the situation.

FBI Denver and the United States Attorney's Office officials said they are prioritizing bank robbery prosecutions.

"Bank robbery is part of a violent crime problem here in the Denver metro area," said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan in a statement. "Our office is committed to making Colorado safer and we will enforce the law by prosecuting these and other violent crimes together with our law enforcement partners, including our colleagues in District Attorney offices."

"Robbing a bank is a federal felony, no matter whether the crime is perpetrated with a weapon, a note, or just a verbal threat," said Michael Schneider, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI Denver Field Office. "We are committed to bringing federal investigative resources to solve these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice with our law enforcement partners."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.