Man Arrested For 17 Robberies; Accused Of Targeting Same Locations
PIKESVILLE, Md. (WJZ) -- A major arrest by Maryland State Police. One man is accused in at least 17 armed robberies in Baltimore and Harford counties.
Monique Griego has more on the businesses he targeted.
Maryland State Police say John Wilson, 54, was robbing banks, post offices and grocery stores. And they say recently he became more brazen, shooting at a witness who tried to follow him.
Maryland State Police arrested Wilson Wednesday night. They say he's responsible for at least 17 brazen armed robberies in Baltimore and Harford counties.
"He would enter, brandish a revolver or a shotgun, threaten the employees there and then steal the money," said Col. Marcus Brown, Md. State Police Superintendent.
Since 2010, investigators say Wilson's committed nine bank robberies and three post office robberies in Harford County and five grocery store robberies in Baltimore County.
"What would you get? I mean, how much money is it? I wouldn't even think there is a lot of money in there," a woman said.
According to police, Wilson would rob the same locations over and over again. A Mars on Philadelphia Road in Rosedale was hit three times.
"He felt very confident in going to these establishments. He got the results that he wanted. So that sort of emboldened him to go back to them again," said Brown.
All three of the postal robberies happened at one post office in Benson, Md.. The most recent was last Saturday (Oct. 5). That's when police say Wilson vaulted over the counter with a gun.
This time, however, a witness followed him.
"As he attempted to flee, Mr. Wilson turned and fired a shot at the witness," Brown said.
The witness wasn't hit and was able to give police a description that led to Wilson's arrest. Shoppers are now glad they won't have to encounter him.
"I'd be scared to death because you don't know what them guys are going to do," a man said.
Wilson is charged with robbery and attempted murder for the shooting. In addition to Maryland State Police, he's also facing charges from the Harford County Sheriff's Office.
Police say in some of the robberies, Wilson got away more than $10,000.
