Three Sentenced for Robbing Armored Car Driver of Cash, Gun

ST. LOUIS - U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on Wednesday sentenced the last of three men who robbed an armored car driver of cash and a firearm in Overland, Missouri in 2023.

Judge Pitlyk sentenced Phillip Keith Smith, 65, to 11 years in prison. Herman Leon Woods, 31, was sentenced last week to 42 months. David C. Greenwade, 62, received a 20-year sentence in July.

All three admitted participating in the robbery in the 9400 block of Midland Avenue in Overland, Missouri on April 14, 2023. The armored car driver was making a cash drop at a store when two men wearing black clothing, ski masks and body armor arrived in a black Jeep. One robber, who has not yet been identified, approached the driver and said, "Don't die over this money." The robber pointed his handgun at the driver when the driver didn't immediately turn over his gun.

The driver handed over his firearm and then ran into the store for help. Smith, who was armed with a short-barreled rifle, and the other robber took a bag containing $2,000 and a duffel bag containing empty bank bags.

Greenwade was driving the Jeep and planned the robbery. Woods, Greenwade's nephew, owned the Jeep and allowed it to be used for the robbery and for practice runs.

Woods and Greenwade each pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. Smith pleaded guilty to robbery and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

In a separate case, Smith pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge and Greenwade pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy charge, a money laundering conspiracy charge and money laundering. Both men admitted helping to sell illegal drugs and launder the proceeds.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Overland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torrie J. Schneider prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.