Fitness model, David Byers (pictured), 35, who led police on a cross-country manhunt earlier this year, has pleaded guilty to a string of armed robberies in NY and Connecticut
A heavily-tattooed fitness model, who led police on a cross-country manhunt earlier this year, has pleaded guilty to a string of armed robberies in New York and Connecticut.
David Byers, 35, agreed to pay restitution of nearly $15,000 on Tuesday as part of his plea deal for five robberies that took place over a seven-day period in April.
According to the US Justice Department, Byers was wearing a bandana over his face and displayed what appeared to be a handgun when he stole $300 from a Gulf gas station on Long Island on April 19.
The next day, he robbed a Chase Bank branch in Stony Brook, New York, of $2,107.
On April 24, Byers, who worked as a model and personal trainer, robbed a Citgo gas station in Greenwich, Connecticut, of $223, while wearing the same bandana over his face, according to the Justice Department.
A day later, again wearing a bandana over his face, he robbed a Chase Bank branch in Greenwich of $8,722.
On April 26, he then returned to the Chase Bank branch in Greenwich and robbed it of $3,391.
Byers agreed to pay restitution of nearly $15,000 as part of his plea deal for five robberies that took place over a seven-day period in April
According to the US Justice Department, Byers was wearing a bandana over his face and displayed what appeared to be a handgun when he stole $300 from a Gulf gas station on Long Island on April 19. He then went on to commit four more robberies within the same week
After the robbing spree was over, Byers was arrested in San Diego on May 2
After the robbing spree was over, Greenwich police said they say Byers driving a vehicle and attempted to apprehend him on April 28.
However, he led police on a high-speed chase, ditched the vehicle on Interstate 95 and fled on foot.
According to authorities, he then stole another vehicle in Port Chester, New York, placed a stolen license plate on the vehicle, and drove to California.
Pennsylvania State Police attempted to arrest Byers in Pennsylvania, but again, he ditched his vehicle and fled on foot.
He later stole a vehicle that had the keys in it and drove to Maryland where he stole license plates and put them on the truck.
On May 1, Byers led Arizona State Police on a high-speed chase before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot. He was arrested in San Diego on May 2.
Byers’ arrest surprised those who worked with him in the modeling community. He has been featured in the Instagram portfolio for photographer Michael Stokes, who has over 150,000 followers on the social media platformByers’
US District Judge Michael P. Shea scheduled Byers’ sentencing for January 2018, at which time he will face 20 years in prison
Byers’ arrest surprised those who worked with him in the modeling community, according to The Greenwich Time.
He has been featured in the Instagram portfolio for photographer Michael Stokes, who has over 150,000 followers on the social media platform.
‘I know he’s an unusual guy, but bank robbery doesn’t seem like his thing,’ Stokes said at the time of Byers’ arrest.
‘He’s always been so decent and respectful with me.’
US District Judge Michael P. Shea scheduled Byers’ sentencing for January 2018, at which time he will face 20 years in prison.