A firefighter has been arrested after allegedly robbing a Dallas bank, then giving $20 of the stolen funds back to the teller as a tip.
Jesus Ventura, 37, of Irving has been charged with robbing a Chase Bank on April 10, according to U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldana.
According to the federal complaint, Ventura entered the bank late in the afternoon and asked to use the restroom. The restroom was outside the bank lobby, but when Ventura returned, he was greeted by a teller offering assistance.
Ventura then reportedly said, “Give me all the money,” multiple times to the teller before the teller gave Ventura the money. After receiving the funds, Ventura took a $20 bill and slid it back under the glass to the teller, saying, “Here is a tip for you.”
Dallas police later arrested Ventura when he allegedly attempted to rob a second business. Officers recovered the black backpack containing the money from the Chase Bank robbery.
In an initial appearance in front of a federal judge on Wednesday, Ventura told the court he has bipolar disorder, anxiety and depression and has been off his medication. When asked for his address, Ventura repeatedly gave the judge his birthdate instead of the accurate information.
Ventura has been in trouble with the law recently after he was arrested following an incident in March where he allegedly took a loaded semi-automatic pistol to Dallas Fire-Rescue’s Station 45.
Ventura was on administrative leave as Dallas Fire-Rescue conducted an investigation into that event.
