A Landover, Md., man accused in a series of attacks on senior citizens pleaded guilty Tuesday to three armed robberies.
Henry L. Sanders, 51, held-up three senior citizens in Prince George’s County in November 2011. One of the victims was beaten so severely he had to be hospitalized.
Sanders often used a ruse to get a ride with his victims, according to Prince George’s County prosecutors.
A 79-year-old man said Sanders asked for a ride to a hospital to visit his sick mother. On the way to the hospital, Sanders punched the man in the face and neck and demanded he hand over his car, according to the man’s statement to police. Sanders pleaded guilty to assault and robbery in the case.
In another case, a man told police Sanders approached him outside a Home Depot and asked for a ride to a Metro station. On the way to the Metro, he said Sanders threatened him with a knife and forced him to take out money from an ATM.
Sanders also pleaded guilty to robbing a woman at knifepoint as she walked to her car.
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“Mr. Sanders robbed several elderly citizens at knife point, and I am pleased that he is being held accountable for his crimes,” Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said.
Montgomery County police charged Sanders in three separate attacks on seniors near the Westfield Wheaton Shopping Mall.
Sanders will be sentenced May 17. He faces up to 55 years in prison.
