3 charged in bank robbery that triggered I-270 shutdown

WASHINGTON – Police have charged three men with robbing a Well Fargo branch in Rockville that resulted in a manhunt and shutdown of Interstate 270.

Montgomery County police say Earl M. Kenney, 55, of Capital Heights; Michael A. Heard, 40, of D.C.; and Ricko D. Ford, 20, of Forestville, each face one count of armed robbery.

Kenney and Heard also are charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony. And Ford is also charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

According to court documents, Kenney and Heard entered the bank and ordered customers and tellers to the floor at gunpoint while Ford served as a lookout and the getaway driver.

The three were caught on Interstate 270 with guns used in the heist. Kenney was found with $7,000 stashed in socks. Other cash was found in a nearby dump truck, according to court records and police.

Kenney and Heard remained in jail in lieu of $1 million bail, according to police.

Ford was being held without bail Wednesday after a judge ordered a hearing to determine whether Ford is competent to stand trial.

The men are accused of robbing the bank at 404 King Farm Blvd. Tuesday morning and fled in a silver Kia. Police tracked the car to the southbound lanes of Interstate 270, where they became ensnared in a police-created traffic jam.

Drivers reported seeing police with their weapons drawn going from car to car as they searched for the three men. Some residents have questioned the tactics used to arrest the robbers, including County Council President Craig Rice.

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WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report from Rockville. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and on Facebook.

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