Last “Bulls Cap Bandit” Sentenced

DALLAS — A Dallas man who admitted to his role in a conspiracy to commit several violent armed robberies in Dallas in 2014, Savalas Christopher Love, 32, was sentenced yesterday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 147 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Love pleaded guilty in November 2015 to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Love’s coconspirators, Cedric Ray Jones, 27, and his brother, Damien Antoine Jones, 31, were sentenced earlier this month.  Judge Boyle sentenced Cedric Jones to 573 months and Damien Jones to 708 months in federal prison.  Each pleaded guilty late last year to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, two counts of using, carry, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of, a crime of violence, and three counts of interference with commerce by robbery.

The FBI dubbed the robbers the “Bulls Cap Bandits,” as Cedric and Damien Jones wore Chicago Bulls caps during the robberies.  

According to documents filed in the case, from approximately May 28, 2014, through June 17, 2014, the three defendants conspired together to commit these armed robberies:

            May 28, 2014              AutoZone
                                                10418 Garland Road, Dallas

            June 2, 2014                AutoZone
                                                2842 South Buckner Blvd., Dallas

            June 12, 2014              Cash Plus Pawn
                                                9103 East R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas
                       

June 17, 2014              AutoZone
                                    9711 Plano Road, Dallas

During each of the robberies, Cedric and Damien Jones wore disguises and brandished firearms.  In a March 7, 2014, robbery of Cash Plus Pawn, Cedric and Damien Jones stole cash and two semi-automatic rifles, and then fled on foot.

In the May 28, 2014, and June 2, 2014, AutoZone robberies, Cedric and Damien Jones entered the store, brandishing the semi-automatic rifles, while Love remained in the vehicle as the “getaway driver.”  The three fled in Love’s vehicle.  Love knew they brandished firearms during the robbery.

On June 12, 2014, Cedric and Damien Jones, Love, and another individual traveled to the Cash Plus Pawn store on East R.L. Thornton Freeway in Dallas, in Love’s vehicle, with the specific intent to commit robbery.  Upon arriving in the parking lot, Damien Jones and the other individual exited the vehicle and approached the store’s entrance with firearms, but abandoned the robbery when confronted by a store employee.  They fled in Love’s vehicle.  Love knew they brandished firearms during the robbery.

In the June 17, 2014, AutoZone robbery, Cedric and Damien Jones traveled together in Love’s vehicle to the store with the intent to commit robbery.  Love traveled separately to the location with the specific intent to facilitating the commission of the robbery.  Love “cased” the store and reported the absence of security personnel to Damien Jones, knowing any information he provided would be used to facilitate the robbery and avoid detection and apprehension by police.  Cedric and Damien Jones then entered the store, brandishing semi-automatic rifles, and then fled the robbery in their vehicle.  Love knew they brandished firearms during the robbery.  During a subsequent chase with law enforcement, Cedric Jones operated the vehicle in a manner to avoid apprehension and created a substantial risk to other motorists on the roads.  During the pursuit, shots were fired in the direction of the pursuing officers to further avoid apprehension.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Dallas Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Robinson and Brian Poe were in charge of the prosecution.

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