“Brazen Bandit” Bank Robber Convicted

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office; Al Lamberti, Sheriff, Broward Sheriff’s Office; and Daniel C. Alexander, Chief, Boca Raton Police Department, announced today’s conviction of Michael Anthony Price, 43, of Coconut Creek, Florida, on bank robbery charges. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 19, 2011, before U.S. District Court Judge William J. Zloch. At sentencing, Price faces a maximum of up to life imprisonment, five years’ of supervised release, and fines of up to $250,000 per count.

Price, dubbed the “Brazen Bandit,” was charged in a seven-count indictment with bank robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony offense. After a four-day trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts this morning on six of the seven counts. Price was convicted of the August 13, 2010, robbery of the PNC Bank, located at 520 South Federal Highway, Boca Raton, and the August 18, 2010, robbery of the Amtrust Bank, located at 3600 West Hillsboro Boulevard, Deerfield Beach. He was also convicted on the firearms charges. He was acquitted only of count two, which charged conspiracy to rob PNC Bank.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, “Gun violence, whether by a gang member, a bank robber, or a convicted felon, will result in federal charges and long federal prison sentences. We are gratified with today’s verdict and hope it brings a sense of justice to the victim of this senseless act.”

“Price’s brutal attack during one of his bank robberies left an innocent man severely injured for the rest of his life. The jury’s verdict was clear; such heinous crimes will not go unpunished,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge John V. Gillies. “The FBI and its law enforcement partners will continue their commitment to investigating violent crimes and hold accountable all those responsible.”

According to evidence presented during the trial, the first bank robbery took place on Friday, August 13, 2010, at the PNC Bank. Price, wearing a black baseball cap and sunglasses, entered the bank and approached a customer service consultant. Price stated he wished to open an account and then pointed a black revolver at the consultant. He then approached a teller station, placed a backpack on the counter, and pointed his firearm at a victim teller. He demanded money and told the teller that she had “15 seconds” to comply. While the gun was pointed at her, the teller placed the money in the defendant’s backpack. Price then left the bank.

The second bank robbery occurred on Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at the Amtrust Bank in Deerfield Beach. According to the evidence at trial, Price wore a black baseball cap, sunglasses, and a bandana covering his mouth when he entered the bank. He carried a black revolver in his hand. Price vaulted the teller counter and demanded money from multiple tellers at various stations, while brandishing the firearm. As Price was jumping back over the counter to flee with his loot, he shot a 67-year-old customer. After shooting the customer in the neck, Price left the bank, discharging two rounds from his revolver as he fled. The shooting victim is paralyzed from the neck down.

Co-defendant Greg Bryan Senser, 29, of Boynton Beach, who was the get-way driver for each of the robberies, pled guilty on February 25, 2011, before Judge Zloch and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 6, 2011.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer commended the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and the Boca Raton Police Department for their excellent work on this matter. The FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force includes members from the FBI, BSO, U.S. Secret Service, and the police departments from the City of Miami, Miami Beach, and Miami-Dade. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Dispoto, Cynthia Stone and Jason Linder.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.