KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two Kansas men were charged today with a
pair of bank robberies in which shots were fired and robbers wore Black Panther
and Venom masks, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said today.
Michael Shiferaw, 20, Olathe, Kan., and Kenya Breakfield,
21, Olathe, Kan., were charged with two counts of bank robbery. They were
charged with an Oct. 31, 2018, robbery at Wells Fargo Bank in Leawood, Kan.,
and a March 27, 2019, robbery at Commerce Bank in Roeland Park, Kan.
Wells Fargo robbery
According to documents filed in federal court in Kansas
City, Kan., two robbers entered the Wells Fargo Bank at 2000 West 103rd in
Leawood carrying guns and wearing masks that looked like the comic book and
movie character Venom. Both robbers were carrying guns and threatened bank
employees. Before leaving with cash, one of the robbers fired a round from his
handgun into the ceiling.
Commerce Bank Robbery
At Commerce Bank, a single robber entered the building
wearing a Black Panther mask. During the robbery, he fired a total of four
shots while giving orders to bank employees. When he left the bank, he got into
a small, black, four-door car.
Investigation
On March 27, agents set up surveillance at a house in the
1700 block of Lindenwood in Olathe where they spotted the defendants. Agents
followed the defendants as they drove to Shiferaw’s residence in the 12000
block of Meadow Lane in Olathe. Later that day, Olathe Police responded to a
report of a domestic disturbance at the house. The defendants were arrested
with a black backpack full of currency and a handgun.
It is alleged that Breakfield took part in the first robbery
and drove the getaway car in the second robbery. The defendants purchased the
masks at a Spencers gift store.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 25 years in federal
prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. Investigators included the FBI,
Leawood Police Department, the Olathe Police Department, the Kansas City Police
Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim
Flannigan is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and
unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal
conduct.