Armored Truck Robbers Pursued by Witness Sent to Prison

Four robbers have been sentenced to between 14 and 21 years in prison for holding up an armored truck at the Checker’s restaurant near Andrews Air Force Base.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office, the men carried guns as they robbed the armored truck employees of $72,106 in cash, $4,028 in checks, and personal property.

A judge sentenced Antonio Lamar Cooper, 28, and Juwan Armarni Watkins, 22, both of Washington, D.C., to 20 years in prison, and 17.5 years in prison, respectively, for interfering with interstate commerce by the armed robbery of employees who were transporting money in an armored truck, and using a firearm during the robbery. Maurice Lorenzo Foreman, 24, of Oxon Hill, and Eugene Robert Watkins, 23, of Washington, D.C., were sentence to about 21 years in prison, and 14 years in prison, respectively, for the same crimes.

According to court documents, on January 15, 2014 the armed defendants forced two armored truck employees to the ground outside the restaurant on Allentown Road on Jan. 15, 2014. The employees were transporting money from the restaurant; the robbers took their weapons.

A witness to the robbery followed the defendants from the scene and called 911 while in pursuit. Once the suspects realized they were being followed, they shot at the witness, hitting the windshield and the witness’ vehicle several times. Prosecutors say the witness was struck in the face by glass and bullet fragments.

According to court documents, Prince George’s County Police officers pursued the robbers into Washington, D.C., where the defendants fled on foot. A canine search by Metropolitan Police officers helped arrest the robbers.