Maryland Law Blog

Law enforcement authorities are looking for three men in connection with an armed robbery that took place on June 20, 2009. An article published in the University of Maryland’s independent daily student newspaper Diamondback Online, claims that three armed men robbed a dry cleaning business on Route 1 as the store was opening for business. According to a University of Maryland crime alert report, three men entered the rear door of the dry cleaner located in the 7200 block of Baltimore Avenue as it opened for business around 6:30 in the morning. The report said that each of the men displayed a handgun during the robbery, allegedly took money from the cash register and personal property from the employees, and then fled in a burgundy Jeep Cherokee with Maryland license plate 545M727.

At the time the article was published, law enforcement officials investigating the robbery had not yet found the Jeep Cherokee and did not know whether or not the Jeep had been stolen for the purpose of committing the robbery. They also did not release how much money had been taken from the dry cleaner’s register or what personal property had been stolen from the store’s employees. The suspects are described as 18-to 25-year-old black men around 5’8” to 5’10” in height wearing dark clothing with medium to dark complexions.

If apprehended, the men face very serious criminal charges and if they are convicted of committing the armed robbery, they could be subject to severe criminal penalties. Under criminal law, the men could receive the following criminal penalties for robbery and weapons charges in Maryland:

• Many years and even decades in prison


• The inability to lawfully own a firearm


• Probation


• Parole


• Steep fines


• The inability to obtain certain types of employment


• A permanent mark on their record that can have a negative impact for the rest of their life


• And other life-changing criminal penalties