Gregory George Branch, Armed Commercial Robbery, Maryland 2015

Baltimore, Maryland - Gregory George Branch, a 42-year-old resident of Essex, Maryland, has pleaded guilty to three armed commercial robberies and three bank robberies.

The robberies occurred in June and July 2015, and Branch was arrested for possessing a black pellet gun used in all three store robberies and one bank robbery. He also admitted to committing nine other robberies or attempted robberies of businesses in Baltimore City and Baltimore County during the same period.

According to his plea agreement, Branch robbed a grocery store in Baltimore on June 23 and July 3, 2015, and a convenience store in Essex on July 3, 2015. He also robbed a discount store in Brooklyn Park, Maryland, on July 4, 2015, displaying what appeared to be a black handgun.

In each robbery, Branch approached the cashier or security guard, pretending to make a purchase or display a gun, before demanding money. In the July 4, 2015, robbery, Branch ordered the security guard to place his weapon in a trash can and then ordered the security guard and store manager to open the safe.

Branch also admitted to robbing three banks, stealing a total of approximately $4,402, between July 1, July 14, and July 17, 2015. In each robbery, Branch presented the teller with a note demanding money, with the note in the July 14, 2015, robbery claiming to have a gun. In the robbery on July 17, 2015, Branch pointed what appeared to be a handgun at the teller.

Branch is scheduled to be sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on July 18, 2016. United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies for their work in the investigation.

The FBI, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department, Anne Arundel County Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies worked together to apprehend Branch. United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the collaboration between the agencies, saying it was instrumental in bringing Branch to justice.

Branch's plea agreement was announced by United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein and other law enforcement officials. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Sullivan is prosecuting the case.

The robberies were a significant concern for the community, with multiple businesses affected. The guilty plea brings a sense of relief to the residents of Baltimore and surrounding areas.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/baltimore-man-pleads-guilty-robbing-three-stores-and-three-banks