TAMPA, Fla. – Richard Allen Randolph, 44, of Youngstown, Ohio, also known as the “Beretta Bandit,” has been sentenced to a staggering 106 years and 6 months in federal prison following his conviction on multiple counts of Hobbs Act robberies, attempted robbery, and firearms offenses, including brandishing and discharging a weapon during the crimes.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Beretta Pico pistol used in the offenses.
Randolph’s Crime Spree: The “Beretta Bandit” Case
Between January 27 and February 26, 2020, Randolph, dubbed the “Beretta Bandit,” terrorized four commercial businesses in Tampa.
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Wearing a hooded sweatshirt and facial covering, he brandished a Beretta Pico pistol in each robbery, threatening employees and emptying cash registers. His spree culminated on February 26, when an attempted robbery escalated into gunfire.
After being confronted by the store clerk’s boyfriend, Randolph fired the pistol twice in the parking lot as the victims fled, leaving shell casings behind. Despite an extensive investigation, Randolph’s identity remained a mystery for over a year.
The Break in the Case
The case took a turn in July 2021 when the Collier County Sheriff’s Office discovered a Beretta Pico pistol during a routine traffic stop.
Although the driver didn’t fit the description of the robber, he revealed he had bought the firearm from Randolph, a former co-worker. Forensic analysis by the ATF confirmed the gun matched the weapon used in Randolph’s final robbery.
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During the trial, victims recounted the fear they experienced during the armed robberies. Although they couldn’t identify Randolph due to his masked appearance, the prosecution presented compelling evidence linking him to the crimes, including the recovered pistol, forensic analysis, and testimony from the co-worker who purchased the gun.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Tampa Police Department, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Guzman and Brooke Padgett.
The prosecution was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a program uniting law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021 to prioritize community safety, support violence prevention programs, and focus on strategic enforcement efforts.
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