Utah Man ‘Forced to Rob Credit Union’ with Fake Bomb Over $19K Wendover Casino Loss

A Utah man claims threats against him and his family over a $19,000 casino loss ultimately led to him walking into a credit union carrying a fake bomb.

After his arrest, Fidel Ybarra told investigators Thomas Domingo Bustos picked him up on the morning of the robbery and told him he was going to “rob a bank” to settle what Bustos believed he owed.

Bustos, Ybarra, and Brelyn Sanchez, the alleged getaway driver, pleaded not guilty Friday (Oct. 2) to charges of credit union robbery and conveying false information about an explosive device.

On Sept. 4, Ybarra entered an America First Credit Union branch in South Salt Lake wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack, according to an FBI affidavit. He handed a teller a note demanding money and claiming there was an explosive device inside the bag.

He then opened the backpack to display what appeared to be an improvised bomb.

The teller, believing the device could be detonated, handed over $1,234, which fell far short of the alleged debt. Ybarra allegedly fled to a waiting Dodge Durango driven by Sanchez.

‘Bomb’ Made from Fireworks, Duct Tape

When investigators later questioned Ybarra, he claimed Bustos had been holding him responsible for a $19,000 loss at a casino in West Wendover, Nev.

At a Murray apartment, Bustos allegedly removed fireworks from a bag and wrapped them in black duct tape taken from the back of a vacuum cleaner to make them resemble a bomb. He then allegedly dictated what Ybarra should write on the robbery note.

Ybarra told investigators that after Sanchez drove him back to the apartment, Bustos took all $1,234. Ybarra allegedly discarded his shirt, gloves, and hat in a dumpster but believed he had left his shoes inside the apartment.

Sanchez allegedly said Ybarra told her before the robbery that he owed Bustos $9,000 and was prepared to do what was necessary to repay him. She claims she was unaware that meant robbing the credit union.

Linked Through Cellphone Data

Investigators linked Bustos to the robbery through surveillance footage showing his red BMW near the credit union and cellphone data that allegedly placed him in the area.

Bustos initially denied involvement and said he had traveled there to obtain narcotics, according to the affidavit.

A federal grand jury subsequently indicted all three defendants on one count of credit union robbery and one count of false information and hoaxes. The latter charge relates specifically to the fake explosive device allegedly produced during the robbery.

All three remain in federal custody pending further proceedings.