Anchorage Bank Robber Gets 5 Years

Anchorage resident Robert Marley Chapas, 30, is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty to robbing a Wells Fargo branch on April 27, 2022. Chapas walked into the bank and handed a teller a note demanding cash, claiming he was armed and not acting alone. He made off with $2,450 before disappearing, triggering a swift investigation by the FBI and Anchorage Police Department.

The robbery wasn’t sophisticated, but it was terrifying. Court documents show Chapas’ note explicitly instructed the teller to comply and not alert authorities. He didn’t need to display a weapon; the threat alone was enough to force the teller to empty their drawer. Chapas’ history of violence – a 2018 assault conviction involving a firearm pointed at another driver – clearly factored into Judge Timothy M. Burgess’ decision.

On March 8, 2023, Burgess handed down a 60-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. Chapas will also be responsible for full restitution of the stolen $2,450 to Wells Fargo. The judge’s statement emphasized the fear instilled in bank employees and the public by such brazen acts. This wasn’t a crime of desperation; it was a calculated risk with dangerous consequences.

Chapas didn’t act alone. Isiah Ishom Perry, identified as an accomplice, entered a guilty plea in January 2023. Perry’s sentencing is scheduled for April 2023, and federal prosecutors will likely present evidence of his involvement in planning and executing the robbery. The extent of Perry’s role will determine the length of his own prison term.

U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker, speaking after Chapas’ sentencing, praised the collaborative effort of the FBI and APD. “This case demonstrates our commitment to prosecuting violent criminals and protecting the citizens of Alaska,” Tucker stated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Brickey led the prosecution, meticulously building a case based on witness testimony and bank surveillance footage.

While the stolen money will be returned to Wells Fargo, the emotional toll on bank employees remains. This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those working in public-facing positions. The feds are sending a clear message: robbing banks in Alaska will be met with serious federal penalties. Expect a similarly harsh sentence for Perry when he appears before the court next month.