Baltimore MD – Rashelle Francis was convicted on several counts of kidnapping and robbery related offenses. She has been sentenced to serve 25 years of a 50-year sentence followed by five years of probation. Francis, a violent repeat offender—whose criminal history includes armed robbery, trespassing, and burglary—was on probation and parole at the time she committed the series of kidnappings and armed robberies in April of 2018.
Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Hudak from the Major Investigations Unit (MIU) prosecuted this case.
Over a ten-day robbery spree from April 8 to April 18, 2018, Francis carried out several armed kidnappings and robberies throughout Northwest and Southwest Baltimore. Francis executed each robbery by approaching each victim, displaying a firearm and demanding money. In each case, Francis kidnapped the victims and ordered them to drive to different ATM locations to make withdrawals. Each victim, including a seven-year-old boy, escaped or was released after the heist. Francis’s scheme netted her approximately four thousand dollars in stolen money and personal property.
Hours after Francis committed her last kidnapping and robbery police located the defendant at the Horseshoe Casino in Downtown Baltimore. At the time of arrest, she possessed a BB gun and a recently reported stolen I-Phone. A search of her vehicle also yielded numerous amounts of stolen property.
“I am saddened that innocent people have been left to suffer emotionally and psychologically from these traumatic events. However, I am grateful that these robberies didn’t escalate into physical injuries or worse,” said State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. “I am extremely pleased that Assistant State’s Attorney Hudak secured this conviction so that this violent repeat offender can no longer terrorize the residents in this city.”
