Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to 17 Years

Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man was sentenced to 17 years in prison for a string of bank robberies in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.

John Edward Hayes, 46, was sentenced to 209 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for armed bank robbery, use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence and illegal possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

Hayes was ordered to pay $17,697.11 in restitution to the victims of his crimes, which included a string of robberies at PNC Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Capitol One Bank and SunTrust Bank.

The investigation into Hayes’ crimes was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Baltimore County and City Police, Montgomery County Police and the Fairfax County (Virginia) Police.

Hayes pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett. He will be required to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigators and prosecutors who worked on the case, thanking Assistant United States Attorney P. Michael Cunningham and Special Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Perry for their efforts.

The case against Hayes highlights the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in solving crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.

Hayes was seriously injured during his arrest after a shootout with a security guard at a McDonald’s restaurant in May 2014.