Two charged in failed armored car robbery attempt

HOUSTON – A pair of Houston men are set to appear in federal court for their alleged roles in the recent armored car robbery attempt at a local Walgreens, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Corderas Simmons, 31, and Jeremy Boniaby, 28, both of Houston, are charged by criminal complaint with aiding and abetting attempted interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting discharging a firearm during or in relation to that robbery. They are set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 1:30 p.m.

The complaint alleges that on Nov. 1, Boniaby drove a stolen white Ford F-250 with Simmons as a passenger to the Walgreens at 16233 Post Oak in Houston. Soon after, an armored Garda truck arrived for its scheduled stop. The charges allege that as soon as the driver side door of the armored truck opened, so did the rear passenger door of the stolen pickup.

Law enforcement had been following both vehicles and quickly converged on the stolen truck, according to the complaint. Boniaby allegedly fled the parking lot,  drove over a median at South Post Oak and entered a strip center. The charges allege Boniaby exited the vehicle wearing gloves and a hooded sweatshirt and fled on foot. A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team pursued and took him into custody, according to the complaint. Meanwhile, Simmons allegedly exited the back seat of the vehicle and also fled on foot, wearing a mask and gloves. Shortly thereafter, he was also taken into custody.     

If convicted, Simmons and Boniaby face up to 20 years in prison for the attempted interference with commerce by robbery charge. They would also receive, upon conviction, a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for the discharge of the firearm which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed. 

The Houston Police Department and FBI Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts is prosecuting the case.

This is an example of coordination between law enforcement who are part of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative which combines personnel and resources from numerous federal, state and local agencies. The goal is to proactively fight and reduce violent crime across the Greater Houston area by targeting the region’s most violent offenders, augmenting investigative and prosecutorial efforts, and enhancing training, public awareness and education.