Married Couple Indicted For String Of ATM Burglaries And A Robbery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          Contact ELIZABETH MORSE

www.justice.gov/usao/md                                                    at (410) 209-4885

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Matthew Dale Bush, age 38, and Crystal French, a/k/a “Crystal Lynn Bush,” age 34, both of Graysonville, Maryland, on charges of Bank Robbery, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle and Conspiracy to Commit Offenses against the United States.

The indictment was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI;) and  Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to the nine-count indictment, beginning in September 2017 and continuing through October 23, 2017, Bush and French stole ATMs and used stolen vehicles to travel to and from the scenes of the crimes. The burglaries took place within the District of Maryland, the Northern District of Virginia, the District of Delaware, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Bush and French spent the proceeds of the crimes they committed on personal items including heroin and other illegal narcotics.

In September and October 2017, the couple allegedly stole or attempted to steal ATMs in the following locations; Stevensville, Maryland; Chester, Maryland; Kent County, Delaware; Sterling, Virginia; Broadlands, Virginia; Dover, Delaware; Stevensville, Maryland; and Cambridge, Maryland.

According to the indictment, in addition to the ATM burglaries, on October 23, 2017, Bush allegedly burglarized a High’s Store in Harford County, and robbed a bank in Perry Hall, Maryland.

Bush has also been indicted on charges of Bank Larceny, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, and four counts of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle. 

Bush and French face a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison for conspiracy, 10 years in prison for each count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Vehicle and 20 years in prison for bank robbery. 

Bush also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years for each additional count of Bank Larceny, Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm and ammunition.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning commended the HSI, Maryland State Police, Delaware State Police, Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Baltimore County Police Department, and Loudon County, Virginia Sheriff’s Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Budlow and Sandra Wilkinson, who are prosecuting the case.