Rohnert Park Man Sentenced to Prison for Role in 2021 Bank Robbery

Defendant Brandon Celis-Sanchez, 24 years old of Rohnert Park, was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert LaForge to serve 7 years, 4 months, in state prison for one count of robbery with a firearm, and two counts of felony false imprisonment stemming from a bank robbery he committed with another man on November 10, 2021.

District Attorney Rodriguez stated, “Every person in that bank is undoubtedly still suffering from Mr. Celis-Sanchez’s actions that day. I hope that the victims will have some sense of security knowing that he will be in prison for an extended period of time.”

Wearing ski masks and brandishing what appeared to be handguns, Celis-Sanchez and another male, Jefferson Montiel-Ruiz, entered West America Bank on Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa at approximately 8:20 a.m., prior to the bank being open to the public. They gained entry by following a bank employee into the bank as she entered to start her shift. After forcing the employee to the ground, they zip-tied the remaining employees and attempted to use an employee’s keys to get into the vault. Unable to successfully get into the vault, they threatened an employee and demanded that she empty the contents of her drawer into their backpack. After securing the money, they fled. No arrests were made immediately.

Through ongoing investigation, Santa Rosa Police Detectives were able to determine a suspect vehicle and identify its owner. Ultimately, SRPD detectives were able to link the car to Montiel-Ruiz. During a search of his residence, detectives located a pistol, a revolver, white zip-ties and a backpack. Further investigation, including cell phone forensics, led to identifying Celis-Sanchez as the other person involved.

Codefendant Montiel-Ruiz has also plead guilty to the robbery and use of a firearm. He is scheduled to be sentenced on November 7, 2023. He has entered into an agreement to be sentenced to a 7-year, 4 month prison sentence.