Bank robbery suspect ordered to trial

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A federal magistrate Monday ordered Edward Lee Bowlin of Albuquerque held for trial in Thursday's holdup of a Bank of the West branch.

Bowlin, 43, was arrested by Albuquerque police who responded to the robbery at 5401 Gibson Blvd. SE.  After obtaining a description of the robber from witnesses, officers canvassed the area and detained Bowlin, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

At a hearing Monday the magistrate found there is probably cause to support the charge against Bowlin and take the case to trial.

The robber had claimed to be armed and fled the bank on foot with an undiscloed amount of cash.

About 40 minutes later a man held up the First Community Bank at Carlisle and Constitution NE and eluded responding officers.

Bowlin faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.  HIs case is being investigated by Albuquerque police and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Cairns.