Wilkinsburg Man Robbed 3 Banks and a Convenience Store

PITTSBURGH, Pa. -A former resident of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of bank robbery and Hobbs Act robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Glenn Ford, 60, pleaded guilty to four counts before Senior Judge Reggie B. Walton of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that, on September 15, 2017, Ford robbed the Huntington Bank, on Smithfield St. wearing a long black curly wig, a long leather coat, and a sticker on his face covering his nose and mouth. He demanded $100 and $50 bills and received $2,340. On September 28, 2017, Ford robbed the same Huntington Bank. He attempted to conceal his face as he approached the same teller. Ford demanded $100, $50 and $20 bills and received $2,370. The teller recognized Ford from the prior bank robbery and placed a dye pack with the money, which exploded as he fled.

On September 20, 2017, Ford, wearing a hat, a dress, a trench coat and caramel-colored dress shoes, entered the Citizens Bank located on East Carson St. with a white plastic bag covering part of his face. He demanded money and received $2,950. He discarded his clothing after he exited the bank.

The Court was further advised that on October 4, 2017, wearing a Darth Vader mask and black hoodie, Ford robbed the CoGo’s on East Carson Street with a knife and took $186.

Ford confessed to committing the robberies to support his crack addiction. He told officers about his efforts to clean and use the money damaged from the dye pack explosion. Ford took officers to recover the damaged money, as well as clothing and shoes from an abandoned house in Wilkinsburg, a short distance from his house.

Judge Walton scheduled sentencing for May 2, 2019. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Ford remain detained.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Department, and Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Ford.