Raleigh man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for armed bank robbery

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Raleigh man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for an armed bank robbery that prosecutors say nearly turned deadly.

According to federal prosecutors, 34 year old Christopher Gilmore entered the First Citizens Bank at Capital Boulevard and Millbrook Road last year wearing a mask and carrying a loaded gun. Court records show that Gilmore fired a shot inside the bank during the robbery.

Investigators say he then pointed the gun at tellers, demanded cash, and forced employees to the floor before fleeing with more than $20,000.

Police tracked Gilmore down within minutes, finding him at a nearby tire shop. Officers recovered the gun, the stolen cash, and a GPS tracking device used to follow the money.

Federal officials say Gilmore is a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal history, calling the 15 year sentence "necessary to protect the public."

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