A Kansas man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in a pair of armed bank robberies that left a community shaken.
Michael Shiferaw, 23, of Olathe, was convicted in August 2021 of two counts of armed bank robbery and two counts of discharging a firearm in connection with a bank robbery. This week, a federal judge handed down the 28-year sentence.
Shiferaw’s accomplice, Kenya Breakfield, 23, of Olathe, pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of discharging a firearm in connection with a bank robbery. He was sentenced to 76 months in prison in September 2021.
The robberies took place in October 2018 and March 2019. In the first robbery, Shiferaw and Breakfield went into a Wells Fargo bank in Leawood, Kansas, wearing Venom face masks and carrying handguns. Shiferaw fired a shot into the ceiling upon entering and then pointed a gun at the tellers, forcing them to fill a duffel bag with money.
During the second robbery, Shiferaw and Breakfield targeted the Commerce Bank in Roeland Park, Kansas. Breakfield stayed in the vehicle as the getaway driver, while Shiferaw entered the bank alone, firing four rounds during the robbery. He also pointed his gun at the tellers, demanding to get into the vault.
The defendants were arrested shortly after the second robbery. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Olathe Police Department, Leawood Police Department, and Roeland Park Police Department all assisted in the investigation of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Flannigan prosecuted the case.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement in preventing and solving crimes. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Defendant: Michael Shiferaw
Criminal Charges: Two counts of armed bank robbery, two counts of discharging a firearm in connection with a bank robbery
City and State: Kansas City, Kansas
Date: August 2021 (sentencing), October 2018 and March 2019 (robberies)
Sentence: 28 years in prison
Amount: Not applicable
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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