Bandana Bandit: Griffin Gets 20 Years for Raleigh Bank Heist

RALEIGH, NC – A brazen daylight robbery at a Wells Fargo branch in Raleigh landed RAYMOND GRIFFIN, 37, a two-decade federal prison sentence. U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced today that Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle handed down the 240-month (20 year) sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, and a hefty $35,000.00 fine. GRIFFIN was also ordered to pay $2,159.00 in restitution – the exact amount he stole.

The crime unfolded on August 29, 2017, when GRIFFIN stormed into the Wells Fargo, face obscured by a bandana. Witnesses reported he screamed at a teller, “Give me all your money! Give me all your money, now!” He didn’t stop at threats. GRIFFIN leaped over the teller counter, grabbed $2,159.00 in cash, stuffed it into a plastic bag, and bolted on foot. A silent alarm was triggered immediately, setting the wheels of justice in motion.

Raleigh Police Department officers responded swiftly, canvassing the area and quickly developing a description of the suspect. A crucial tip from a concerned citizen pointed them toward a nearby construction site. There, officers found GRIFFIN attempting to blend in, awkwardly engaging construction workers in conversation despite clearly not belonging. The scene was bizarre, a desperate attempt to appear normal while clutching stolen money.

The charade didn’t last. Officers detained GRIFFIN, and a search revealed he was carrying the full $2,159.00 taken from the bank. Crucially, inside a portable toilet at the construction site, law enforcement recovered clothing matching what GRIFFIN wore during the robbery, solidifying the case against him. He was indicted on March 28, 2018, and found guilty by a jury on January 8, 2019.

This case isn’t an isolated incident, but part of a larger federal effort to combat violent crime. It falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to foster collaboration between all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve. The Department of Justice has doubled down on PSN since 2017, targeting violent criminals and empowering U.S. Attorney’s Offices to partner with local agencies. The Eastern District of North Carolina’s ‘Take Back North Carolina Initiative’ specifically focuses on sustained, regional prosecution of violent offenders.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Raleigh Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Pugh and Charity Wilson skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a sentence that sends a clear message: robbing banks in North Carolina comes with serious consequences. GRIFFIN will have two decades to reflect on that lesson behind bars.