Inventive Henderson robbery scheme falls flat

Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 | 2:36 p.m.

See the criminal complaint

Five men are being charged with a bank robbery scheme that was, if not successful, at least inventive.

Rather than bust into a Wells Fargo in Henderson with guns drawn, authorities allege a team of men walked into the bank armed with a fake federal search warrant — a document they claimed gave them the authority to seize all the money in the bank’s vault.

According to a complaint filed today, the men — Eric Griffin, 39, of Henderson; Jonathan Miranda-Brewster, 25, of Orange County, Calif.; Jonathan Gray, 24, of Buena Park, Calif.; Brady Beach, 24, of El Toro, Calif.; and Ryan Williams, 30, of Fullerton, Calif. — entered the West Sunset Road bank late Friday morning, presented the bogus search warrant and demanded money from the vault.

The bank’s manager apparently wasn't convinced.

The incident quickly went downhill from here, according to the complaint: Griffin ordered Miranda-Brewster to handcuff the bank manager. The men then allegedly threatened to execute the bank manager if he did not open the vault, the report indicated. Two of the men then walked the handcuffed bank manager out of the building, then let him back inside when he explained how to open the safe.

Once inside, the bank manager made a phone call to security (apparently he told the five men he was getting permission to open the vault). The bank manager then hung up the phone and demanded the men leave, which they did — walking out of the building and right into the warm embrace of waiting Henderson Police.

The men are set to appear in federal court today.

Discussion: 15 comments so far…

By okra

11/16/09 at 2:56 p.m.

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Oh man. I don't think prison is going to go well for these guys. Unless of course... they could have another group of friends pose as transfer guards...
By DocRebel

11/16/09 at 3:44 p.m.

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I pity these fools.
By boftx

11/16/09 at 4:03 p.m.

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Given how gullable they were about the "permission" phone call, I bet they wanted the money to purchase beach-front property in Arizona.
By nednougat

11/16/09 at 4:50 p.m.

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Jesus, now we'll have to hear about the valiant Henderson Police dropping their donuts, and risking life and limb apprehending the perps. I imagine the cops are already limping from the trauma. Blue ribbons and Hosannas are next, along with time off for their heroism. Bet on it.
By Rhooster

11/16/09 at 5:44 p.m.

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I have an offer on the table for movie rights.
Starring Manny, Moe, and Jack.
By POWERPLAY

11/16/09 at 6:54 p.m.

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This is what happens when you watch to many movies. IDIOTS
By rejco100

11/16/09 at 7:01 p.m.

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Great! I see George Clooney & Brad Pitt buying the option on this one for "Ocean 14".
By pravica

11/17/09 at 12:05 a.m.

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As one of my buddies who is a Metro officer often tells me: "We're lucky that most of the criminals out there just aren't that intelligent."
By guns4hire

11/18/09 at 7:42 a.m.

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see what happens if pay attention at school another fine Vegas success story

crimes timed and executed to the tee-
By Babyboomer

11/18/09 at 8:44 a.m.

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I had to read this story four times......because the tears of laughter were causing my eyes to water up. Think I'll read it again.
By mikegino

11/18/09 at 10:10 a.m.

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Rumor has it that these geniuses owed money to Keyser Soze.
By mred

11/18/09 at 10:43 a.m.

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sounds like a bunch of "sovereignty" dittoheads, the bank system is illegal, Glen Beck is God, the flag with the fringe on it
By muddapucker

11/18/09 at 1:22 p.m.

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Maybe they can get work release working for the County inspecting manholes...

Weren't they thinking of hiring contractors?
By mikegino

11/18/09 at 2:26 p.m.

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Red: Don't forget "Barry Obama failing to respectfully place his right hand over his heart during the National Anthem or Pledge of Allegiance."