Bank Robber Pleads Guilty to Five Robberies

BALTIMORE—Rodney Scott Bush, age 49, of Fort Washington, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank robbery and five bank robberies. As part of his plea agreement, Bush also admitted committing two additional bank robberies.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis; and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department.
“This case highlights the importance of the initial response of patrol officers,” said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “This repeat offender is in jail because an alert patrol officer observed suspicious activity while responding to a call.”
According to his plea agreement, from December 8, 2012 through July 17, 2013, Bush committed seven bank robberies, stealing a total of $38,894. In each robbery, Bush handed the teller a note demanding money. Most of the notes also stated that Bush had a gun or threatened some other harm, and Bush often implied that he had a weapon. The banks were located in Upper Marlboro, Lanham, Severna Park, Gambrills, Laurel, Bowie, and Glen Burnie, Maryland.
Moments after the robbery in Glen Burnie on July 17, 2013, an Anne Arundel County Police officer responding to the bank robbery saw Bush in the passenger seat of a vehicle removing the distinctive sweater that he wore during the robbery. The vehicle was being driven by a woman, later identified as Jacqueline Isaacs. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Isaacs sped off and led police on a high-speed pursuit. Isaacs continued to flee from the officers for more than 10 miles, eventually crashing into a van. Officers arrested Bush and Isaacs, who were taken to the hospital and treated for injuries sustained during the crash.
The vehicle was searched and officers recovered the mobile phones used by Bush and Isaacs, the demand note, shirt and glasses worn by Bush during the robbery, and cash stolen from the bank.
Bush faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison on each of the five bank robbery counts; and a maximum of five years in prison for the conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander scheduled sentencing for July 9, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.
Jacqueline Isaccs, age 55, also of Fort Washington, pleaded guilty to the July 17, 2013 bank robbery and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI, Anne Arundel County Police Department, and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie D. Podlesni, who are prosecuting the case.