Byers the Greenwich Bank Robber Pleads Guilty in Federal Court in Hartford

David E. Byers. Photo: Yuma Police Dept Facebook page Posted May 3, 2017

 David E. Byers, 35, of Solana Beach, CA, who was wanted by Greenwich Police for robbing both a local Citgo station and Chase bank, twice, pleaded guilty in Hartford on Tuesday to a federal robbery charge stemming from what escalated to an east coast robbery spree featuring stops in multiple states and a cross country pursuit.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 19, 2017, Byers, wearing a bandana over his face and displaying what appeared to be the handle from a handgun, robbed a Gulf gas station in Nesconset, NY, of $300.

On April 20, he robbed a Chase Bank branch in Stony Brook, NY, of $2,107.

On April 24, Byers, wearing a bandana over his face and displaying what appeared to be a handgun, robbed the Citgo gas station in Greenwich of $223.

On April 25, again wearing a bandana over his face, he robbed the Chase Bank branch in Greenwich of $8,722.  On April 26, Byers returned to the same Chase Bank branch and robbed it of $3,391.

On April 28, Greenwich Police saw Byers driving a vehicle and attempted to apprehend him, but he drove away at a high rate of speed, subsequently abandoned the vehicle on I-95 before evading police on foot.

Byers then stole another vehicle in Port Chester and placed a stolen license plate on the vehicle before proceeding to drive to California.

Pennsylvania State Police attempted to apprehend Byers by deploying a tire deflation device, but Byers was able to abandon the vehicle and flee on foot.

Byers then stole a pickup truck that had keys in it.  At a rest stop, he stole Maryland license plates, put them on the truck and continued driving west.

On May 1, Byers engaged the Arizona State Police in a high-speed chase before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Byers was arrested in San Diego on May 2.

“We’re pleased that occurred, and the next step in the process will be the sentencing,” said Lt Slusarz of Greenwich Police Dept on Thursday. “The cooperation with the different agencies has been phenomenal. The communication, cooperation, exchange of information and sharing of resources across the country was top notch.”

“It was a satisfying conclusion,” Slusarz said.

Judge Shea scheduled sentencing for January 30, 2018, at which time Byers faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  Byers has been detained since his arrest.

This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greenwich Police Department, Suffolk County (N.Y.) Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police,, Arizona State Police and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony E. Kaplan.

The guilty plea was announced on Tuesday by John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Ct.

See also:

Bank Robber, David E. Byers, Back from California (August 2017)

Intense Manhunt for Bank Robbery Suspect Moves from Greenwich to Pennsylvania

Greenwich Robbery Suspect Arrested in California

Awaiting Extradition of Greenwich Robbery Suspect, GPD Describe David Byers as “A Menace” and “Prolific Thief”