Source: US FBI
ALBUQUERQUE – An Española man was sentenced to more than 154 months in federal prison for robbing an ATM technician at gunpoint.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on January 15, 2022, Michael Cobb, 42, approached an ATM technician who was loading cash outside a Century Bank in Española, New Mexico. Cobb pointed a handgun at the technician and demanded the cash canisters. After the technician backed away, Cobb took the canisters, fired a round near the ATM, returned to grab two more canisters, and drove away.
Española Police used license plate reader technology to identify the red Chevrolet Sonic used in the robbery. The vehicle was registered to Cobb’s family residence in Ohkay Owingeh. Investigators matched surveillance footage to Cobb. On January 19, 2022, Pojoaque Tribal Police located the vehicle at Buffalo Thunder Casino. Cobb attempted to flee but was arrested following a brief pursuit. Officers recovered cash consistent with the stolen denominations from Cobb’s person at the time of his arrest.
On November 26, 2024, Cobb pled guilty to bank robbery with a dangerous weapon and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Upon his release from prison, Cobb will be subject to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department and Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Bell prosecuted the case.