SALT LAKE CITY — Three northern Utah residents have been indicted in a credit union robbery in which a teller was threatened with a fake explosive device allegedly made from fireworks and duct tape, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Brelyn Sanchez, 37, of Ogden; Fidel Ybarra, 52, of Riverdale; and Thomas Domingo Bustos, 31, of Layton, are accused of participating in the Sept. 4 robbery in South Salt Lake.
According to court documents cited by prosecutors, Ybarra entered the credit union carrying a backpack and handed a teller a note demanding cash and claiming he had an explosive device. He then opened the backpack to display what appeared to be an improvised explosive device.
The teller handed over $1,234, prosecutors said. Ybarra fled in a red Dodge Durango allegedly driven by Sanchez.
Vehicle Seen in Surveillance Video
Investigators identified a second vehicle, a red BMW, through surveillance video. Both vehicles were registered to Bustos, according to prosecutors, who allege he planned the robbery, constructed the fake explosive device and wrote the demand note. Bustos later took the stolen money, prosecutors said.
Ybarra told investigators Bustos held him responsible for losing $19,000 at a Wendover casino and threatened him and his family if he did not repay the money, according to the criminal complaint.
Bustos picked up Ybarra on the morning of the robbery and told him he would rob a bank to repay the debt, the complaint alleges. Bustos wrapped fireworks in black duct tape to make them resemble a bomb.
Sanchez acknowledged driving the Durango and dropping off a man near the credit union but told investigators she did not know exactly what he planned to do, according to the complaint. She said she understood he intended to collect money from a woman who owed him.
‘Knew He Was Involved in Criminal Activity’
Sanchez also acknowledged knowing they were involved in criminal activity, the complaint states. She said the man returned running, climbed into the passenger seat and told her to drive away.
According to the complaint, Sanchez said Ybarra had mentioned owing Bustos $9,000 and intended to do whatever was necessary to repay him.
