Seven people were indicted Friday for a yearlong series of armed robberies that targeted bank customers across multiple Maryland counties, according to Attorney General Anthony Brown.

Law enforcement officials said the group methodically stalked people as they made substantial withdrawals from banks, ambushing them and threatening them with violence and weapons. The practice is known as “bank jugging."

“We believe that every resident deserves the right to conduct their daily business without fear of violence or intimidation,” Brown said. “For nearly a year, these suspects terrorized and traumatized hardworking Marylanders who were just trying to run a simple errand and take money out of the bank.”

The following seven people were indicted for various crimes, including attempted murder, armed robbery and participation in a criminal gang:

• Tyriq Jayron Walker, 25, of Upper Marlboro
• Gary Gerald Cloutterbuck, 25, of Washington, D.C. 
• Zavier Emmanuel Williams, 25, of Upper Marlboro
• Robert Darrell Hill, 23, of White Plains
• Dujuan Kenneth Smalls, 20, of Upper Marlboro
• Roland Adrian Thompson, 22, of Washington 
• Jeremy Adarryn Manago, 19, of Capitol Heights

Officials said the seven were involved in two separate “criminal organizations,” which allegedly were responsible for at least 34 robberies and attempted robberies, two attempted murders and an armed carjacking. The crime spree occurred from August 2023 to July 2024.

The crimes occurred in Anne Arundel, Charles, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, law enforcement officials said. Nine of the incidents occurred in Anne Arundel County, and one occurred in Howard County.

The banks where customers were targeted included Navy Federal Credit Union, Bank of America, Capitol One and Wells Fargo.

“They terrorize folks and steal their hard-earned money,” Anne Arundel County Assistant Police Chief William Lowry said. “You’re nothing but cowards and you’re a plague on society.”

Joint investigation reveals series of bank jugging offenses

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives launched a joint investigation with multiple law enforcement agencies after noticing a pattern of robberies in bank parking lots.

Through the investigation, officials learned that one of the groups, which operated from August 2023 to January 2024, was responsible for 20 robberies or attempts.

They would rob people as they were leaving the bank or were in the parking lot.

However, the group’s tactics evolved in October 2023, as it began following people from the bank and robbing them when they arrived home or stopped at another location, officials said.

In one instance, the group crashed into a victim’s car so the victim would pull over. The group allegedly robbed the person when they got out of the car to exchange information.

“The leader of that criminal organization, Tyriq Walker, is charged with over 100 counts of criminal conduct,” Katie Dorian, the criminal division chief with the Attorney General’s Office, said.

Officials said members of the criminal group were almost always armed, usually with guns that had added modifications such as extended magazines or Glock switches. They were charged with attempted murder after they fired at or near victims when they refused to comply, law enforcement officials said.

The other group continued to operate until July 2024. Officials alleged that the group was responsible for at least 14 robberies and attempts from May to July 2024.

Officials said the group also used handguns and threatened to shoot its victims. In one instance, it put a person in a chokehold in a robbery attempt.

Together, both groups took more than $155,000 from 34 victims. Officials said all seven suspects are in custody.

Lowry has this stern message for those thinking of committing similar crimes.

“We will hunt you down and see that you are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said. “Don’t come into Anne Arundel County.”

WJZ is a media partner of The Baltimore Banner.