A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to a 2023 armed robbery, in which he stole $65,780 from an ATM and $11,852 worth of cigarettes from a business in Laurel.
Clarence Lynch of Prince George’s County faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in federal prison following his guilty plea, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Maryland.
On Aug. 4, 2024, Lynch traveled to the Laurel convenience store, armed with at least one firearm. He went into the store and used physical restraint to force an employee into an office by pulling him “by his collar and breaking his necklace,” according to court records.
Lynch then used a hydraulic tool to open the store’s ATM. He stole $65,780 in cash from the ATM’s trays and also stole $6,940 in cash from the store’s office. On top of that, he left with more than $11,000 in cigarettes.
He was charged with Interference with interstate commerce by robbery and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
A federal district court judge will determine his final sentencing, which is set for Sept. 2.