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Xerox Credit Union Robbery Suspect Indicted
In a shocking turn of events, a federal grand jury has indicted 56-year-old Richard Leon Wilbern for his alleged involvement in the 2003 Xerox Credit Union robbery that left one man dead. The indictment, which was handed down on January 25, 2017, charges Wilbern with a two-count indictment, including the armed robbery of the Xerox Federal Credit Union on August 12, 2003, and unlawful possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, the August 12, 2003, robbery was a brazen and violent crime that resulted in the death of 51-year-old Raymond Batzel. Wilbern, who was reportedly carrying a large briefcase, an umbrella, FBI raid jacket, sunglasses, a United States Marshals badge, and a wig, entered the credit union wearing a disguise. He informed a credit union employee that he was there to conduct a security check, but after encountering resistance, Wilbern pulled out two firearms and ordered the employees to retrieve cash from the teller station.
As Wilbern began to lay employees and patrons on the floor, he shot and killed Batzel near the front door of the credit union and then turned his aim to a second patron who had just entered the credit union. Wilbern proceeded to shoot that second customer in the back as he turned and ran. After the shootings, Wilbern demanded and received a large amount of cash from the desk tellers before fleeing the scene, leaving behind the umbrella that was subsequently tested and discovered to contain his DNA.
The second indictment charges Wilbern with possessing four firearms at his girlfriend’s residence on Tubman Way in Rochester in 2016. The weapons included a Feather Industries Inc. Model AT-9, 9 mm rifle loaded with 25 rounds in the rifle magazine, a Norinco SKS rifle loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62 x 39 caliber ammunition, a SAA Model SA15 semi-automatic rifle along with two empty magazine clips, and a Kel Tec model Sub 2000, .40 Smith and Wesson caliber rifle.
Wilbern, who has two prior felony convictions, is prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearms. The defendant is currently being held without bail pending a detention hearing, which is set for January 27, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan W. Feldman.
The investigation into the Xerox Credit Union robbery was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Webster Police Department, the New York State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, the Rochester Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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