Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Using and Carrying a Firearm in Connection with Bank Robberies
Defendant Dubbed the “Ninja Bandit” for Disguise Worn During Robberies
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 22, 2009 |
A man who robbed three banks and attempted a fourth bank robbery pleaded guilty to two counts of using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, Acting United States Attorney Terrence Berg announced today. Berg was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Detroit field office.
Rynell Rodnie Roberts, 26, of Detroit faces a 32-year mandatory minimum sentence under his plea agreement. As part of his plea, Roberts admitted that he committed the following three armed bank robberies and attempted a fourth:
September 3, 2008 – Charter One Bank, 28797 Woodward Avenue , Berkley , stealing approximately $4,160; ! September 18, 2008 – Charter One Bank, 28797 Woodward Avenue , Berkley , stealing approximately $3,910; September 26, 2008 – Bank of America , 3528 Fort Street , Lincoln Park , stealing approximately $6,000; and August 28, 2008 – Chase Bank, 23210 Ford Road , Dearborn , attempted bank robbery.
During each robbery, Roberts brandished a firearm. Roberts was dubbed the “Ninja Bandit” because of the disguise he wore during his crimes. Roberts was arrested in this case on September 26, 2008 , after attempting to flee from local law enforcement officers immediately after robbing Bank of America––a robbery during which he discharged his firearm.
Roberts will be sentenced before Judge Arthur J. Tarnow on April 23, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis Gabel and Leonid Feller.