DC Men Convicted Of PG County Armed Robberies: DOJ

GREENBELT, MD -- Two D.C. men were convicted of committing armed robberies in Prince George's County back in 2016, the Department of Justice announced in a statement.

Ronnell Francis Lewis, 45, and William David Hill, 62, were convicted of "conspiring to commit a commercial robbery; for using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a weapon during and in relation to a crime of violence; for being felons in possession of firearms; and for interstate transportation of stolen vehicles" in connection with two armed robberies that happened in Clinton in November 2016, the statement reads.

DOJ says that Lewis, Hill, and a co-conspirator robbed an auto repair business by brandishing firearms and ordering employees on the ground.

"The defendants took money from the victims’ pockets and then ordered them into the front office," the statement adds. "One victim was then bound with zip ties and gagged with duct tape. The second victim fought, was shot by the robbers, and ultimately paralyzed. The robbers then fled in a vehicle they had stolen earlier that day."

Four days later, they robbed a barbershop in Seat Pleasant, DOJ says.

"[T]he two defendants entered the business, ordered everyone to the ground and then robbed them," the statement reads. "During the robbery, the defendants threatened the victims with violence. According to the evidence, the robbers put the cash in a dark single strap duffle bag and fled in a stolen minivan."

Police reportedly saw the minivan at a traffic light and tried to stop it, but the driver fled into D.C. and three people got out of the vehicle and ran away. The driver and Lewis were captured, and Hill was apprehended later.

"Further, the evidence proved that after the robberies, and while he was detained, Lewis called several people from jail and asked them to visit the victims of the barbershop robbery to persuade them not to cooperate in the investigation, including not testifying before the federal grand jury," the statement continues.

Lewis and Hill face a maximum sentence of life in prison. They will be sentenced Oct. 21.