CORPUS CHRISTI, TX—Robert Perez Jr., 35, of Corpus Christi, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the robbery of three local banks, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

At the hearing today, the court heard about a series of robberies Perez committed over a five-month period. The first robbery occurred on Jan. 8, 2014, at the Kleberg Bank located in Corpus Christi, during which he brandished a can of mace and threatened employees by claiming to have a gun. He fled on a bicycle which was later recovered by officers who learned it had been purchased at a local pawn shop with a credit card belonging to Perez. Surveillance also showed Perez purchasing the bicycle.

The next robbery occurred on April 14, 2014, at the IBC Bank in Corpus Christi. There, Perez pointed a can of mace at employees and again claimed he had a gun. After this robbery, a witness was able to provide information about the license plate of the vehicle in which he fled, which was also later linked to Perez.

During the third robbery, at another IBC Bank location in Corpus Christi, Perez also claimed to have a gun. Perez was arrested May 9, 2014, following a search at his residence. In his attic, agents discovered cash which included money traced to the May 5, 2014, robbery.

Perez pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge B. Janice Ellington today and will later be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. At that time, Perez faces up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 fine. He will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The charges stem from an investigation by Corpus Christi Police Department and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez.