In a peculiar incident in Ohio, a 20-year-old Venezuelan man named Yeixon Brito-Gonzalez attempted to rob a local bank with the help of a translator app on his phone. Facing a language barrier due to his limited English proficiency, Brito-Gonzalez relied on phrases like "get the money" and "put the money in the bag" provided by the app to communicate his demands to the bank tellers. This unusual method of attempting a robbery caught the attention of authorities and garnered significant media coverage.
The situation escalated when a customer at the bank noticed Brito-Gonzalez's suspicious behavior and alerted the police. Responding to the call, officers from the Sandusky Police Department arrived at the scene and apprehended the suspect. Despite denying the robbery charges, Brito-Gonzalez was taken into custody and is now facing charges of attempted robbery, attempted theft, and criminal trespassing.
Sandusky Police Chief Jared Oliver expressed surprise at the unique nature of the incident, noting that in his two decades of law enforcement experience, he had never encountered a situation where a suspect used a translator app to commit a crime. The use of technology in this context added an unexpected layer to the attempted robbery, highlighting the evolving methods criminals employ in their activities.
Authorities also raised concerns about Brito-Gonzalez's immigration status, as he lacked proper identification and proof of legal residency in the United States. Chief Oliver mentioned that federal agencies, including Customs and Border Patrol, had expressed interest in questioning the suspect, indicating potential immigration-related implications stemming from the incident.
Overall, the attempted robbery by Brito-Gonzalez stands out as a curious case that underscores the challenges posed by language barriers in law enforcement situations. It serves as a reminder of the diverse range of factors that law enforcement officers must navigate when responding to criminal activities, including the use of technology and issues related to immigration status.
