Marina
Two Kansas City men have been given prison terms in connection with a bank robbery case.
- Rathell Quavon Ross, 28, received a sentence of 6 years and 5 months in prison from U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips.
- His accomplice, Gerrad D. Rivera-Willis, was sentenced earlier on April 22 to 6 years behind bars for the same crime.
How the Robbery Happened
According to court records, Ross and Rivera-Willis parked their vehicle near a Kansas City, Missouri bank before entering and threatening employees while demanding cash. The two men successfully left the premises with $2,033, escaping in the same car they had arrived in.
Police Pursuit and Arrest
Authorities quickly identified the getaway vehicle, which had also been linked to a previous bank robbery. When officers located the car, both men attempted to flee on foot:
- Ross was discovered hiding under a tarp nearby.
- Rivera-Willis was tracked down by a K-9 officer, and police recovered the stolen $2,033, hidden beneath a cinder block near the spot where he was apprehended.
Connection to Previous Robbery
During questioning, Rivera-Willis confessed to being involved in an earlier robbery and was ordered to pay $8,542 in restitution.
Investigation
The case was investigated by both the FBI and the Kansas City Police Department, leading to swift arrests and convictions.
The sentencing of Ross and Rivera-Willis highlights the swift response of law enforcement in tackling violent bank crimes.
The FBI and Kansas City Police Department worked together to ensure that justice was served, recovering the stolen money and holding the defendants accountable for both the recent and prior robberies.