Restitution ordered in 2 bank robberies

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A man arrested after authorities say he tried to rob a Grand Rapids bank for a second time has entered into a plea deal.

Shariff Marcelle Williams pleaded guilty Monday to charges of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a robbery, according to federal court records.

Authorities originally charged Williams with robbing the PNC Bank branch on Lake Eastbrook Boulevard SE on May 7 2012, getting away with $8,941.95. On May 24, he robbed the Fifth Third Bank branch on Chicago Drive SW in Wyoming and got away with $34,821.

On Oct. 5 2012, authorities say, Williams returned to the PNC Bank in an attempt to rob it again. But before he entered the building, an employee recognized him as the May robber and locked the doors. Williams fled in a Ford Expedition. After a vehicle chase and then a foot chase, police arrested Williams and his girlfriend, Rosheda Durham. An airsoft pistol was recovered from the Expedition.

Williams pleaded guilty only to the Fifth Third robbery, and charges in the PNC robbery were dropped. But as part of his plea agreement, Williams agreed to pay PNC $8,942 and Fifth Third $31,020 in restitution.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 11. Williams could spend 25 years behind bars for the robbery charge and another seven years to life for the firearms charge.

Durham has already pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting attempted armed robbery. She has yet to be sentenced.