Hyattsville Suspect Pleads Guilty In 10 Armed, Attempted Robberies In Washington, D.C.

HYATTSVILLE, MD — A Hyattsville man has pleaded guilty in federal court in connection to a string of 10 armed robberies and attempted robberies that happened in Washington, D.C., between August 2023 and January 2024.

Roberto McBean, 30, of Hyattsville has pleaded guilty to four counts of interference with interstate commerce by robbery. According to court documents, McBean used a small hammer to rob a Sunoco gas station in the 2400 block of Wisconsin Ave. NW, on Aug. 22, 2023. On Aug. 31, 2022, McBean used a small vegetable knife to rob the Georgetown Wine and Spirits in the 2700 block of P Street NW of cash and a bottle of red wine. On Sept. 18, 2023, McBean brandished a knife at the Universal Wine and Spirits in the 2000 block of Florida Avenue but a customer saw what was happening and shouted, “Not today, Get out!” according to court documents, and McBean left without taking any money.

On Nov. 23, 2023, McBean entered the Glover Park Market in the 2400 block of 37th Street NW with a black firearm and robbed the market of cash. On Dec. 8, 2023, McBean gained entry to an Exxon gas station in Georgetown in the 1600 block of Wisconsin Ave. NW, pulled out a gun and left with a small amount of cash. On Dec. 8, 2023, McBean returned to the Sunoco gas station on Wisconsin Avenue, pulled out a gun and ordered the employee to empty the register in a bag. On Dec. 16, 2023, McBean returned to the Glover Park Market, went behind the counter and opened the cash register. McBean took the cash from the register, multiple lottery tickets and a plastic bag, according to court documents.

On Dec. 20, 2023, McBean went back to the Georgetown Wine and Spirits shop and ordered an employee to empty the register. The employee told McBean that he didn’t have a key to the register and McBean pulled out a gun and again demanded money. The employee picked up the entire register and handed it to McBean who fumbled with the machine before handing it back. Unsuccessful, McBean left the store. On Jan. 4, McBean entered Sara’s Market and Dry Cleaners in the 3000 block of Q Street NW. McBean picked up a bottle of wine, set it on the counter and demanded cash. The employee said the market did not accept cash and only accepted electronic payments. McBean left the store with only a bottle of wine, according to court documents.

On Jan. 5, McBean again returned to the Glover Park Market armed with a handgun and ordered an employee to fill a bag with cash. In addition to the money, McBean took lottery tickets and two packs of cigarettes. On Jan. 8, McBean returned to the Glover Park Market for the fourth time. The store employee recognized McBean as the same man who had robbed her in December and a few days before, according to court documents.

Agents with the FBI’s Washington Field Office arrested McBean Jan. 26. Because each of the six stores that McBean robbed bought and sold goods in interstate commerce, McBean’s actions in each of the robberies delayed, obstructed or affected interstate commerce, court documents stated.