Miami, Florida – A 24-year-old Oakland Park man who stole from South Florida businesses during a one-month armed robbery spree pled guilty today to federal robbery and gun crimes.
During a hearing in federal district court in Ft. Lauderdale, Bryan David Burke admitted that from February 24 to March 31 of this year, he robbed 10 stores in Broward and Palm Beach counties at gunpoint (including convenience stores, a liquor store, and a gas station). During each robbery, Burke pointed a firearm at the store cashier while an accomplice grabbed money, lottery tickets, and other valuables. On the day of his arrest, before officers took him into custody, Burke led officers on a high-speed chase, abandoned his vehicle, ran through multiple private backyards, and broke into a home where he had a fist fight with someone inside. After taking Burke into custody, officers seized two firearms and ammunition from him. Burke had tried to discard one of the firearms while fleeing from officers.
Burke pled guilty to five counts of federal robbery (Hobbs Act) and three counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Burke is scheduled for sentencing at 1:15 p.m. on September 15, 2021, before U.S. District Judge William P. Dimitrouleas. Burke faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 21 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment.
Two other South Florida residents are charged in the case: Brandon Xavier Jones and Kelvyn Lavon Cross, Jr. The charges are pending. Indictments contain mere allegations and defendants are considered innocent until found guilty.
Juan Antonio Gonzalez, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Robert Cekada, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, announced the guilty plea.
ATF Miami investigated the case, with assistance from Broward Sheriff’s Office, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Wilton Manors Police Department, and Delray Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Ajay Alexander and Brooke Latta are prosecuting this case.
This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
You may find related court documents and information on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 21-cr-60144.
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