Police: Man used translation app in robbery attempt

SANDUSKY — A Venezuelan man is in custody after allegedly using a translation application in an attempt to rob a Sandusky bank. Yeixon Brito-Gonzalez, 20, is facing charges of attempted robbery, a fourth-degree felony; attempted theft and criminal trespassing, both misdemeanors. Just before 11:30 a.m. on April 4, officers were called to a West Perkins Avenue bank for the report of a suspicious man loitering, according to a Sandusky police report. While en route to the bank, officers received additional information that Brito-Gonzalez, who only spoke Spanish, was asking tellers to put money in a white trash bag, the report states. Brito-Gonzalez departed the bank before officers arrived. In speaking with bank personnel, officers learned that Brito-Gonzalez had attempted to get behind the bank counter and then sat in a chair. He purportedly showed a teller his phone several times with messages translated into English from Spanish. The messages directed the teller to get money and place it in a white trash bag Briton-Gonzalez had with him. Officers later located Brito-Gonzalez in the 1300 block of E. Parish St. They learned he only spoke Spanish so they called in an officer who is fluent in that language, the report states. It was discovered that he had a white trash bag in his possession. He also voluntarily showed officers his phone, and they found a translation application on it, according to Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver. Brito-Gonzalez was arrested based upon statements he made as well as witness statements, however officers were unable to positively identify him at the time due to his not having any identification documents. He was ordered held at Erie County Jail under a no-bond order. Officers were later able to identify him through the use of an FBI fingerprint database, Oliver said. As of late Friday, Brito-Gonzalez is still incarcerated in Erie County Jail under a no-bond order. In addition to his charges from the attempted robbery, U.S. Border Patrol is actively involved in this case as well.