Related Federal Cases
Bank Robbery Suspects Arrested, $148,793.90 Stolen
Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with a pair of takeover-style bank robberies at local credit unions in New York. Adrian D. Applewhite, 32, and Ronald L. Morris, 45, both from Western New York, were taken into custody by the New York State Police and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The first incident occurred on October 31, 2019, at the Clarence Community and School Federal Credit Union (CCS FCU) in Clarence, where a male, later identified as Applewhite, entered the bank and inquired about an ATM. Seven days later, on November 7, 2019, three masked men, including Applewhite and Morris, entered the CCS FCU and committed a take-over style bank robbery, stealing $148,793.90.
According to investigators, Applewhite and Morris were identified through surveillance footage and cell phone data. A search warrant was executed on Applewhite’s cell phone, which revealed a video taken on October 31, 2019, showing the inside of the CCS FCU, as well as text messages between Applewhite and Morris discussing the robbery.
Further investigation revealed that Applewhite and Morris had also been involved in a bank robbery at the Southtowns Community Federal Credit Union (SC FCU) in Lackawanna on July 25, 2019, where $290,500 was stolen. Applewhite was seen entering the SC FCU on July 24, 2019, and was tracked driving towards and away from the SC FCU on the day of the robbery.
Applewhite and Morris were arrested and made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Applewhite was also found to have spent thousands of dollars at a jewelry store and Western Union, while Morris was found to have gambled approximately $1,000-$2,000 per week since mid-January 2020.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police are continuing to investigate the case and are seeking the public’s help in identifying any additional suspects.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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