Omaha bank robber gets 11 years in federal prison

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A 25-year-old man will spend more than 11 years in prison for robbing two Omaha banks last year.

Riek Kuany of Omaha was sentenced on Friday in federal court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Tuesday.

He got 140 months in prison for two counts of bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

U.S. District Judge Robert Rossiter Jr. also ordered Kuany to pay back the $17,547 stolen from the banks.

Kuany’s crimes began on April 6, 2023, at First Interstate Bank at 47th and L streets.

He and another man — both donning ski masks and gloves — pointed handguns at bank employees and demanded money, authorities said.

The tellers put about $6,500 from their cash drawers into Kuany’s bag.

He and his accomplice then took off in a stolen SUV that was driven by a third person, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Five days later, Kuany struck again.

He wore a medical mask as he held up Bank of the West at 87th Street and West Center Road at gunpoint.

This time he got away with almost $11,000.

Both banks were insured, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Authorities said the investigation into Kuany’s accomplices is ongoing.

After prison, Kuany will serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.