Robber Sentenced to 14 Years for November 2008 Armed Bank Robbery in Which a Bank Employee was Shot
One of the Robbers Killed in Shootout After Lengthy Chase by Multiple Agencies

BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Sharman Said, age 27, of Burtonsville, Maryland today to 14 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for armed robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with his role as the “look-out” during an armed bank robbery in which a conspirator shot a bank employee in the hand and the ensuing chase by law enforcement encompassed four counties.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland  Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Chief William J. McMahon of the Howard County Police Department; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; Chief Roberto L. Hylton of the Prince George’s County Police Department; and Colonel Terrence Sheridan, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to his plea agreement, Said met with at least two conspirators, Anirudh Lakhan Sukhu and Omar Burnett, on November 20, 2008, to plan a robbery of the Bank of America located on Ten Oaks Road in Clarksville, Maryland. That same morning, the robbers rode to the bank in Sukhu’s pick-up truck and entered, showing their guns and announcing the robbery. Burnett brandished his handgun, vaulted the counter and demanded money from the tellers. Sukhu, armed with a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun, entered an office where a bank employee was hiding and ordered the employee to “come out.” When the employee moved, Sukhu fired, shooting the employee in the hand and permanently injuring her. Sukhu then also vaulted the counter and took money from the tellers, which he placed in a red and black bag. Said remained at the front door, armed with a handgun, and served as a look-out.

The robbers took $23,471 and fled from the bank in the truck. A witness called 911 and gave a description of the vehicle. Law enforcement officers pursued the robbers at high speeds through four counties. The robbers eventually abandoned the truck in Montgomery County near Said’s home and they fled on foot.

Burnett fired at police and was killed. The stolen money, a second handgun and a sawed-off shotgun used during the robbery were seized near Burnett’s body. The other handgun was recovered near the abandoned truck. Said escaped by hiding in his home, and was subsequently arrested on January 8, 2009. Sukhu called 911 to falsely report that he had been the victim of a carjacking involving his pick-up truck, the same truck used in the robbery. Sukhu pled guilty to the robbery and firing the shot that injured the bank employee.

Sukhu, age 43, of Silver Spring, was sentenced on December 11, 2009, to 255 months in prison.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Yasser and Sandra Wilkinson, who prosecuted the case.