Simon Meza, a 45-year-old Denver resident, was found guilty by a federal jury on two counts of bank robbery. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, Meza had previously entered a guilty plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition related to the same case.
Authorities said that on September 20, 2023, Meza robbed the Huntington Bank located at 18520 E. Green Valley Ranch Blvd in Denver by demanding money from a teller before fleeing the scene. Eight days later, he committed another robbery at the PNC Bank on West 32nd Avenue in Denver using similar methods. During this second incident, the stolen cash included a GPS tracker.
Law enforcement used the tracker to locate Meza in a rented truck near the PNC Bank. When officers attempted an arrest, Meza led them on a high-speed chase that ended with a four-car crash at 44th Avenue and Harlan Street in Wheat Ridge. After fleeing on foot, Meza was apprehended by Denver Police officers. The police recovered both the stolen money and a loaded Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun from the vehicle.
United States District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez presided over the trial. Sentencing for Meza is scheduled for November.
The investigation involved cooperation between multiple 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. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Dunn and Thomas Minser handled the prosecution.”
Case Number: 1:23-cr-00446-RMR
