Serial Bank Robber Receives Massive Prison Sentence

Bronx resident Karriem Barrow, 43, was sentenced to 16 terms of life in prison plus two terms of 20 years in prison in connection with his participation in a series of armed robberies in 2010, United States Attorney Preet Bharara announced Wednesday.

Barrow was found guilty of robbing seven banks in Westchester and Putnam counties, and a restaurant in the Bronx, in early 2010. He was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas, who presided over the nine-day jury trial that resulted in Barrow’s conviction back in 2011.

“Today’s sentence sends a strong and clear message that our federal and local partners will work together to ensure that those who endanger the lives of our citizens through brazen acts of violence will be met with severe punishment,” Bharara said in a prepared statement.

• Related: Federal Jury Convicts Bronx Man In Wave Of Bank Robberies

According to the Complaint, Indictment, and evidence presented at trial:

In January 2010, Barrow and his accomplice Carl Farrington robbed the Golden China restaurant in the Bronx at gunpoint.

The two “subsequently participated in a series of armed bank robberies” of the following banks (listed are the dates, banks and approximate amounts stolen):

• January 21, 2010, Key Bank, 3000 Route 6, Cortlandt Manor, $4,500
• January 25, 2010, Chase Bank, 1946 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, $115,500
• February 22, 2010, Hudson City Savings Bank, 320 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, $3,000
• February 22, 2010, Chase Bank, 132 Parkway Road, Bronxville, $48,000
• March 5, 2010, TD Bank, 495 Central Avenue, White Plains, $13,000
• March 15, 2010, Capital One Bank, 151 Parkway Road, Bronxville, $1,027
• March 16, 2010, TD Bank, 915 South Lake Boulevard, Mahopac, $2,800

According to Bharara’s office, Barrow was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, one count of armed robbery, one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, seven counts of armed bank robbery and eight counts of using, carrying, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, and the police departments of Westchester County, White Plains, Bronxville, Briarcliff, Greenburgh, and Carmel.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas B. Bloom and Parvin Moyne are in charge of the prosecution.

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