Simon Meza, a 45-year-old Denver resident, was found guilty by a federal jury on two counts of bank robbery. The conviction follows Meza’s earlier guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition related to the same case.
According to court records, the first robbery took place on September 20, 2023, at Huntington Bank located at 18520 E. Green Valley Ranch Blvd in Denver. During this incident, Meza demanded money from a teller and left with cash. Eight days later, on September 28, 2023, he robbed PNC Bank on West 32nd Avenue in Denver using similar tactics. In the second robbery, the stolen money included a GPS tracker.
Law enforcement tracked the GPS device to a rented truck near the scene of the second robbery. When Denver Police attempted to arrest Meza in the vehicle, he fled and led officers on a high-speed chase that ended with a four-car crash at 44th Avenue and Harlan Street in Wheat Ridge. After fleeing from the vehicle on foot, Meza was apprehended by police. Officers recovered both the stolen money and a loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber firearm from the truck.
United States District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez presided over the trial proceedings. Sentencing for Mr. Meza is scheduled for November.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the FBI Denver Field Office, Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, and Denver Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Dunn and Thomas Minser prosecuted the case.
"This case was investigated by the FBI Denver Field Office, the Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, and the Denver Police Department," according to information provided by authorities.
Case Number: 1:23-cr-00446-RMR
