DALLAS—Three Dallas men have pleaded guilty to their roles in committing several violent armed robberies in Dallas last year, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Today, Cedric Ray Jones, 26, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle, 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. Last week, his brother, Damien Antoine Jones, 31, pleaded guilty to the same offenses. In mid-November, Savalas Christopher Love, 30, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count and one firearm count.

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 March 7, 2014, through June 17, 2014, the defendants conspired together to commit these armed robberies:

• March 7, 2014 and June 12, 2014
• Cash Plus Pawn
• 9103 East R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas

• May 28, 2014
• AutoZone
• 10418 Garland Road, Dallas

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

• June 17, 2014
• AutoZone
• 9711 Plano Road, Dallas

During each of the robberies, Cedric and Damien Jones wore disguises and brandished firearms. In the March 7, 2014, robbery of Cash Plus Pawn, they 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.

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.

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. Love “cased” the store and reported the absence of security personnel to Damien Jones. Cedric and Damien Jones then entered the store, brandishing semi-automatic rifles, and then fled the robbery in their vehicle. 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 conspiracy count and each of the interference with commerce by robbery counts carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The first firearm conviction carries a mandatory sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in federal prison, to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. The subsequent firearm offense carries a mandatory term of not less than 25 years and up to life in federal prison, to be served consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. The defendants’ sentencing dates are scheduled in March 2016.

The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson is in charge of the prosecution.