Man convicted on federal charges in string of DFW cash store robberies, feds say
A North Texas man has been convicted on federal charges stemming from a series of cash store robberies around the DFW metroplex, a federal district attorney said.
Charles Leonard Brownlee, 37, was found guilty of 12 felonies related to the robberies after almost three days of trial, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Between May 9 and May 21, 2024, Brownlee robbed five cash stores at gunpoint in Grapevine, Hurst, Euless, Grand Prairie and Fort Worth, according to evidence presented at trial.
Brownlee used the same vehicle, equipped with a fuzzy blue steering wheel cover, to drive to and from each of the robberies, according to a statement.
An eyewitness observed Brownlee drop a cigarillo as he ran from one of the robberies, and then get into the vehicle with the steering wheel cover, officials said.
The cigarillo was collected and tested for DNA, which confirmed Brownlee as the robber in that incident, according to a statement.
Brownlee’s girlfriend, a co-conspirator in the case, testified that she and Brownlee drove together to the Euless and Fort Worth robberies, and that she served as a getaway driver, officials said.
After robbing the cash stores, Brownlee planned to rob jewelry stores and obtained a firearm to use for those robberies, his girlfriend said.
Brownlee was arrested shortly after the May 21 robbery and police seized items used in the robberies and two firearms, including the one Brownlee purchased to rob the jewelry store, officials said.
Brownlee faces a minimum sentence of 35 years to life in prison and will be sentenced in July, according to the statement.
