Finger pushing


2 Pueblo men indicted after alleged armed bank robbery

A federal grand jury indicted two men after they allegedly robbed a U.S. Bank in Pueblo while armed in March, according to a news release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado on Tuesday.

Both Pueblo men, 49-year-old Mario Lucero and 24-year-old Esai Maestas Torres, were indicted on one count of bank robbery, three counts of using and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, three counts of carjacking and one count of prohibited possession of ammunition.

Pueblo police previously said the pair allegedly entered the bank at 1130 Bonforte Boulevard armed while demanding cash from tellers, according to a news release. They were given some cash before making several attempts to flee in a vehicle.

As they left, Lucero and Torres allegedly “obtained” keys from a bank customer but began searching for another car after they could not figure out how to operate it, according to police.

They again allegedly failed to steal a vehicle at a nearby “food establishment” before climbing into a vehicle with a mother and her children.

However, police say they exited the vehicle after the mother refused to exit and the pair split up. Both were later located and arrested.

Conviction on any of the firearms charges would result in the pair forfeiting a 12-gauge shotgun, AR-pistol and ammunition, according to the indictment.

Court documents obtained by The Gazette do not specify how they robbed the bank or how much was stolen.

The men are set to begin their trials in federal court in Denver on Aug. 31. Both could face decades in prison if convicted on more than one count.



Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests