Albuquerque Bank Heists: Daring Robber Funds Fentanyl Addiction, Faces 27-Month Sentence
Albuquerque man, Timothy Smeltzer, shocked residents with audacious bank robberies from Jan. 20 to Feb. 23, 2022, funding a fentanyl addiction. Sentenced to 27 months in prison for five counts of bank robbery.
An FBI agent’s statement revealed that Smeltzer quickly admitted to all the crimes, disclosing a surprising reason for his actions: he was using the stolen money to support his severe addiction to fentanyl. (PHOTO: Adobe Stock)
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Albuquerque Bank Heist Spree: Daring Robber’s Shocking Motive Revealed, Driven by Fentanyl Addiction
Albuquerque residents were shocked to learn that Timothy Smeltzer, a 32-year-old man, had orchestrated a series of audacious bank robberies on the city’s northeast side. From January 20 to February 23, 2022, Smeltzer targeted four different banks, executing his daring heists with apparent ease. During one incident, he boldly made away with just $136, while his most substantial haul of $1,180 occurred during a daring second robbery at the same credit union on San Mateo Boulevard.
According to reports, the authorities’ breakthrough came after an anonymous call was placed to a national tip line, alerting the FBI and local police to Smeltzer’s activities. In a remarkable display of efficiency, they managed to apprehend him as he was leaving his Albuquerque home with his mother, mere hours after the final robbery on February 23. According to an FBI agent’s affidavit, Smeltzer immediately confessed to all of the crimes and revealed his shocking motive: he was using the stolen money to fund a crippling fentanyl addiction.
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Vigilante-Themed Demands Notes Unveiled as Albuquerque Bank Robber Pleads Guilty and Faces 27-Month Sentence
According to KRQE, the demands notes Smeltzer handed to bank tellers during the robberies painted a peculiar picture of him. Purporting to be a vigilante aiding law enforcement in their fight against drug dealers, Smeltzer’s messages exhibited an unsettling mix of gratitude and determination. On one note, he proclaimed himself to be the vigilante that assisted law enforcement in apprehending drug dealers. Another note claimed he was helping the police prevent overdoses, expressing thanks and promising repayment for the stolen funds.
As the case progressed through the legal system, Smeltzer pleaded guilty to five counts of bank robbery on March 22. On July 18, U.S. District Judge Judith C. Herrera handed down a 27-month prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. This judgment serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drug addiction and its potential to drive individuals to commit serious crimes in pursuit of their harmful habits. The authorities hope that Smeltzer’s case will serve as a cautionary tale and underscore the need for comprehensive support systems to tackle the root causes of addiction in communities across the nation.
