Laredo man sentenced for robbing bank which led to high-risk pursuit

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

LAREDO, Texas - A 42-year-old resident of Laredo has been sentenced for robbing Falcon International Bank, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Adrian Hernandez pleaded guilty April 1.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has now sentenced him to 78 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court noted the very serious nature of Hernandez's past and current violent actions and the danger that he poses to the community as a whole.

On June 10, 2024, Hernandez entered the location at 212 Bob Bullock Loop in Laredo. He approached the counter and passed a note to the bank teller which read - "this is a bank robbery, give me all the money."

Hernandez had a gray shirt wrapped around his hand to conceal, or appear to conceal, a weapon. The teller activated the silent alarm and placed the money that was in her teller drawer, including bait money, into a brown paper bag and handed it to Hernandez. He then left the bank, got into his car and sped away.

Authorities later observed a car matching the description of Hernandez's vehicle parked at a motel. They attempted a felony stop but Hernandez evaded, and a chase ensued. Eventually, Hernandez collided with a chain link fence in the vicinity of Salinas Avenue, at which time law enforcement fired several shots before he eventually surrendered.

At the time of his arrest, he was wearing the same clothing as viewed in the security footage from the Falcon International Bank.

Law enforcement also found a large amount of cash in the car as well as a yellow note and blue marker.

Hernandez will remain in federal custody pending his transfer to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons where he will serve the remainder of his sentence.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Makens is prosecuting the case.