United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced today that a federal grand jury in San Jose indicted Jose C. Zendejas and Jazmin M. Rosel, both of Hollister, on Aug. 6 for conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, armed bank robbery, and aiding and abetting armed bank robbery.
Zendejas and Rosel, a couple, are suspected of stealing more than $21,000 in an armed robbery July 5 at U.S. Bank, 1320 S. Main St., in Salinas, according to a press release from the FBI.
According to the press release, Zendejas, 19, and Rosel, 18, are suspected of agreeing to rob the Salinas bank at a time when Rosel would be working there as a teller. It alleges the two communicated with each other by text messages just before 7 p.m. to agree on the time to start the robbery, according to the press release.
The indictment alleges that Zendejas entered the U.S. Bank and passed a robbery note to Rosel and indicates that the bank's security division received an alert and placed a call to the bank while the robbery was in progress.
The indictment alleges that Rosel knowingly gave an untrue "false alarm" code - indicating that the bank's alarm system had been activated in error - to delay the response by law enforcement, according to the press release. Rosel also is suspected of labeling certain traceable bills, also known as "bait money," in advance of the robbery, according to the press release.
Agencies involved in the probe were the FBI, Salinas Police Department and Monterey County District Attorney's Office.
Rosel was released on a $100,000 personal recognizance bond, while Zendejas is being held in federal custody, according to the press statement. Their next appearance in federal court is set for Sept. 8, when they will be arraigned on the indictment in San Jose.
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