Man Charged in July Greenfield, West Allis Bank Robberies Could Get 50 Years

GREENFIELD -- Authorities made a high-risk traffic stop on a bank robbery suspect, leading to multiple charges for the Greenfield man.

Michael Eber Oparah, 25, Greenfield, has been accused of staging an robbery at the Tri-City National located at 4811 S. 76th St. in Greenfield on July 7, and a second robbery at the Associated Bank at 6760 W. National Ave. in West Allis on July 19.

During the July 7 robbery, police say Oparah walked into the Greenfield Associated Bank and handed the teller a note that read: “This is a Robbery. Give me all the money. Or you will all die. No dye packs or bait money.”

According to his criminal complaint, Oparah walked out with $3,705 in cash from the teller's drawer.

In the July 19 robbery, police say Oparah passed the teller a note that said: “This a robbery. 100’s, 50’s, 20’s – No 1’s. No Die Pack, No Alarms, I have a gun, No one gets hurts, Im not ... playing, I will kill if you play...” The teller gave Oparah 1,606 from her drawer and handed back the note.

Police responded to the scene moments after the robbery and located Oparaha's blue Dodge Caravan near 70th St. and Main St., according to the complaint.

Police say three suspects, including Oparah were taken into custody after police conducted a high-risk traffic stop near an area gas station.

According to the complaint, police found a large sum of money and the demand note from the robbery in his possession.

According to his complaint, Oparah admitted to police to both robberies, and went on to say that he had been released from prison for a bank robbery three months prior and was having a hard time adjusting to the outside world. He had recently lost his job and was hopping from house to house, the complaint said.

Oparah is currently being held on a $25,000 cash bond in the Milwaukee County Jail. His next court appearance is August 16 for a scheduling conference. Oparah could face up to 50 years behind bars if he is convicted.