Bank Robberies In Woodbridge, Manassas Contribute To Guilty Plea

WOODBRIDGE, VA — Bank robberies in Woodbridge, Manassas and Maryland location have led to a guilty plea in Maryland federal court.

Wesley Phillip Wilson, Jr., 44, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty to several bank robbery offenses and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The four bank robberies and another bank robbery attempt happened between Nov. 19 and Dec. 7 in 2020. The investigation included assistance from Manassas City Police and Prince William County Police.

The Woodbridge bank robbery attempt happened on Nov. 25, 2020. According to prosecutors, Wilson approached the teller and requested a withdrawal. He tossed an envelope reading "I have a gun don’t Panic Do Not push the panic alarm until I leave and No one dies. Give me ALL the money from the drawer" through the teller's plastic shield opening. Wilson took out a black handgun, and the teller handed him a withdrawal slip and attempted to press the alarm button behind the desk. Wilson fled without obtaining money.

On Dec. 7, 2020, Wilson robbed a bank in Manassas. According to prosecutors, Wilson approached the teller station and had a brief conversation before pointing a handgun at the teller. Wilson demanded everything in the top drawer, leading to the teller to give Wilson money. Wilson approached another bank employee to demand money, which led the employee to empty a drawer that contained cash and a GPS tracker. A customer entered as the bank employee was putting money into envelopes, leading Wilson to point the gun at the employee and say, "you have eight seconds." He took $6,135 and fled.

Law enforcement used the GPS tracker to track the stolen money to a shopping center in Manassas. Officers detained Wilson, and prosecutors say he confessed to the crime. Law enforcement found piles of stolen cash inside his car and found additional stolen money in his pocket.

During an interview, Wilson confessed to four bank robberies and the Woodbridge attempted robberies. Other bank robberies were on Nov. 19, 2020 at a Prince George’s County, Maryland bank, Nov. 23, 2020 at an Anne Arundel County, Maryland bank, and Nov. 28, 2020 at a Montgomery County, Maryland bank. Officers found proceeds from previous robberies and a 9mm handgun and ammunition used in the robberies in Wilson's car.

The using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence charge will result in a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and up to life in prison. The bank robbery charge could lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while the armed bank robbery and attempted armed bank robbery charges could lead to up to 25 years in prison.